Andre` Gabriel Beaumont's Obituary
André Gabriel Beaumont passed away on December 17, 2023 at the age of 97 due to complications of the heart and kidneys.
André was born in Manhattan, NY on January 3,1926 to Aurelie and Gabriel Beaumont and grew up in a French speaking household. Andre learned English as a second language and graduated from The Collegiate School in 1943. Aided by the GI Bill of Rights, he earned an AB degree from Harvard College and an MBA degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He completed all the requirements, save dissertation, for a Ph.D. degree from New York University.
In 1943, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Army to serve in World War II and was initially trained as a Director Operator for 90mm anti-aircraft guns, In the summer of 1944 his unit, was deactivated and the personnel were trained as infantrymen. He was assigned as a replacement to Company F, 331 Infantry Regiment, 83rd Division which he joined in the snows of Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. His unit fought through that campaign, crossed the Rhine River, and ended its combat by establishing a bridgehead over the Elbe River 45 miles from Berlin. Among other decorations, he was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge, a Bronze Star, and the Euro-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with three Battle Stars: Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe. He received an honorable discharge in June 1946. He was a proud member and Executive Board Chairman of the 83rd Infantry Division Association, Inc.
André was a retired chief executive and officer of several non-profit organizations, with his most significant post for 22 years, as the President of CCDM, the Council on Career Development for Minorities, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the career advancement of minority college students and graduates. He was affiliated with this organization from its inception in 1965 as a Ford Foundation project. Prior to this, he worked for Rockefeller Center, Inc. in Human Resources and Labor Relations and then served as Director of Business Career Services at New York University. After he retired from CCDM in Dallas he returned to his hometown, New York City and worked for three years as the Northeast Regional Director of the Crohn’s Colitis Foundation of America.
In 1990 he retired to Millsboro, Delaware and worked for seven years as part-time Executive Director of a community theater group, the Possum Point Players,
Outside of work, he was involved with many community, civic and human service organizations as an officer, board member and consultant. While a resident of Connecticut, André was elected to three consecutive terms to the Town of Darien's Representative Town Meeting and served as Chairman of that group's Planning and Zoning Committee; was Vice Chairman of the Darien Personnel Practices Commission and founding member of the Darien Equal Housing Association.
As a resident of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, he was Chairman of the Lehigh Valley Urban Action Fund, Treasurer of the South Terrace Neighborhood Center, President of the Citizen’s Committee for Hogar Crea of the Lehigh Valley, and a board member of the Lehigh Valley Community Council. He also was elected to two three-year terms as an Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.
Most recently as a founding member and Board Officer of Primeros Pasos, an early child care and education center that is focused on care for young Hispanic children.
During his lifetime, André received many citations and awards, including a Public Service Commendation from the President of the United States and a tribute from the Senate of Delaware as a “Distinguished Citizen”.
His avocations were writing, opera and amateur theater, where he worked as an actor, director, and producer. Since 1955 he been a devoted fan of the New York Giants Football Team.
André was a beloved family oriented man who is survived by bis wife of thirty-seven years Sally Ann Beaumont and her son, Andre’s bonus son, Andrew J. De Vito of Millsboro, DE., his two daughters by a previous marriage to Lydia Fairbank Wright: Patrice Kokola (Walter) of Tucson, Arizona and Louise Peach (Carl) of Williston, VT. and grandchildren: Hannah B. Peach, Tomas G. Peach and Nickerson F. Peach all of Williston VT.
Visiting hours will be held on January 2, 2024, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM with a time of sharing at 7:30 PM at Watson Funeral Home & Crematorium located at 211 S. Washington Street, Millsboro, DE 19966. A Committal Service will be held at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery located at 26667 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE 19966 on January 3, 2024 at 1 PM
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in André’s memory to Primeros Pasos Early Education Center, Tunnel To Towers or The 83rd Infantry Division Association.
Well Done Thunderbolt, Shine Forth and See It Through!
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