BALLSTON SPA—It is with heavy hearts that the family of Michael Warren Beson, Sr. announce his passing on Sunday, October 6.
He died from the effects of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Mike was officially diagnosed with this disease on April 3 of this year. Although it attacked his body very quickly, the disease was never able to take his mind, heart or soul.
His determination allowed him to coach the 2013 golf season and attend his son’s wedding on October 5.
Mike was born on November 3, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Phyllis and Warren Beson. Years after his dad’s passing, Mike’s family moved to Glenville. He graduated from Scotia-Glenville High School in 1970, Hartwick College in 1974, State University of New York at Albany in 1979, and St. Rose in Albany in 2001.
He was employed by the Shenendehowa School District for 36 years, serving as teacher, coach and administrator. During that time, Mike was also a basketball coach for 14 years at the Burnt Hills School District. Upon retiring in 2010, Mike coached golf and assisted in coaching basketball at Saratoga Central Catholic High School. He was also a high school soccer official. His enthusiasm, tireless energy, passion, knowledge and dedication made him a well-respected educator, administrator, coach and loyal friend.
Mike was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Ballston Spa, where he served as a lector and a Eucharistic minister before the onset of his illness.
As a member of the Ballston Spa Country Club, playing early morning or late afternoon rounds of golf with longtime friends was one of his greatest pleasures in life. Mike’s favorite playing partner of all times was his loving and devoted son, Michael. They shared many happy moments together on area courses.
Mike is survived by his wife Elly, his son, Michael, and daughter-in-law Leigh of Marshfield, Massachusetts, his parents Phyllis and Alan Nelson of Saratoga Springs, his sisters Peggy Seward (John) of Schererville, Indiana, Mary Gibbons (Patrick) of Glenville and his brothers: Hugh Nelson (Fiorella) of Ashburn, Virginia and Peter Nelson (Melanie) of South Hadley, Massachusetts.
In addition, his sister-in-law Jeannine O’Connell (David), sister-in-law Annie Nelson and brother-in-law William Merritt (Carol) survive him.
Mike will be missed by his nieces and nephews: Coley O’Connell (Lisa), Lisa Jorgensen (Chad), Daniel and Edward Clear, Justina Wagner, Mitchell Seward, John and Michael Gibbons, Clare and Hannah Nelson, Annabell and Rupert Ramsay, Fiorella Roca, and Christopher, Bradley and Gregory Nelson.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, October 12 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa where a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. All are invited to attend a reception in the Gymnasium at Saratoga Catholic Central High School immediately following the service at church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Saratoga Catholic Central High School Athletic Fund, 247 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 c/o Stephen Lombard or Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Plymouth, MA, 02360 or St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center, 19 Warehouse Row, Albany, NY 12205.
Mike and his family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center, Community Hospice of Saratoga, Cranberry Hospice of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Dr. John Bach of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey University Hospital, Olga Ramos of Millennium Respiratory Services, and Dr. Shawn Jorgensen who made the initial ALS diagnosis. Many thanks also go to Mike and Elly’s family, friends near and afar, and neighbors who supported then through this journey.
