Stephen E. Beck Jr., 44

Stephen Edwin Beck, Jr., 44, Burke, Va., passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014 at his home. Beck was Vice President of Operations for Dominion Electric Supply Inc., Chantilly, Va., and served as Vice Chairman of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and a board member for over five years. He spent a decade on the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV) board of directors, where he served as a vice-chair. He also served as co-chair of regional affiliate’s advocacy committee.

Beck was born June 2, 1970, in Waynesboro, Pa., the son of Stephen E. and Maxine (Sheeley) Beck of Waynesboro. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Catherine Ghia Beck, and daughters, Mariae Rose and Natalie Elaine Beck, at home.

Beck is also survived by one sister, Katherine Beck Rozes, West Linn, Oregon, and one brother Brian Beck of Waynesboro, Pa., maternal grandmother Charlotte Sheeley, and many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was a 1988 graduate of Waynesboro Area Senior High School, and a 1992 graduate of Ithaca College. After working at Beck Manufacturing in Waynesboro and Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Beck took a position at Dominion Electric.

A tireless advocate for people with Down syndrome and their families, Beck, a devoted father of a child with Down syndrome, became an outspoken champion of the rights of all Americans with disabilities.

He was an indefatigable volunteer advocate working diligently over an eight-year period to enlist support for the Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act that was passed with overwhelming support in the U.S. House of Representatives last week. The Senate considers passage of the legislation this week.

Passage of the ABLE Act will “forever be marked with Steve Beck’s legacy,” according to a press release issued by the NDSS. “Steve was a tremendous person, a loving father and a great advocate for people with Down syndrome,” said NDSS Chairman Rob Taishoff. The bill enables individuals with disabilities and their families to establish tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities without jeopardizing essential benefits.

“It was eight years ago that our dear friend, Steve, came up with a plan to help his daughter save for the future. Without Steve seeing firsthand the inequities that exist in the current system for people with Down syndrome, we may not be on the verge of passing this landmark bill and helping millions of Americans. The ABLE Act should be forever remembered as Steve’s legacy and be known as our ‘Beck Bill’,” said Sara Hart Weir, NDSS interim President.

DSANV President Brian Ray said “Steve’s ability to work on the national level while also being extremely active in the local community exemplified his passion and commitment to the entire Down syndrome community.”

Beck was a member of the Church of the Nativity Catholic Church, Burke, Va., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Dec. 15 at noon at the church located at 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, Va. 22015. The family will receive friends at the church an hour before the service. Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of the first ABLE account beneficiary, Natalie Beck, which will be hosted by the National Down Syndrome Society, 666 Broadway, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10012 http://ndssyourway.kintera.org/celebrate/nataliebecksableaccount.