Obituary of Les Becka

In loving remembrance of Les Becka, 84, who set his final sail on Friday March 17 2023.

Les was a dancer, storyteller, sailor and adventurer. He had a robust zest for life and left a profound impression on all who knew him.

Les was born in Hungary and set the course in his early life by not only being a swimmer in the national Olympic team but also as a flutist in the Hungarian National Symphony. At 18 he led his family and fled the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 to safety and a new home in Ithaca NY. He earned a degree from Ithaca College and enlisted in the US Army. Upon separation from the Army he embarked on a 30 year sales career with the DuPont Corporation. After retiring he enjoyed life for the next 10 years as a boat broker with Sailing Associates on the Sassafras River. This was a position perfectly suited for him as it combined sales, sails and meeting new friends while finding them their perfect new boat.

He discovered his love of sailing in California in the late 1980’s and it changed his life forever. From then on he was never far from sailing or planning his next journey. He met his true soulmate and partner, Donna Friswell in 2008 and the two have been inseparable ever since making everything fun and another adventure.

He will be greatly missed but more importantly, he will be thought of fondly by all that loved him but were left at port on this journey.