Alexander James Francis Beecham of St. Louis passed away at his home on March 23, 2022, having reached the age of 52 years. Alex was born on August 16, 1969, in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England (UK), to Richard and Danila (Bonino) Beecham. In 1974, Alex’s family moved to Brighton, also in East Sussex, where he and his younger siblings had the good fortune to learn the traditions and languages of both their English father and their Italian mother. Childhood years were punctuated with frequent trips to visit the extended Italian family, including a longstanding family tradition of vacationing together in the Italian Alps. Alex was a lover of languages and completed coursework in linguistics at the University of Brighton.
As a young adult, Alex became an adventurer and traveler. In the mid-1990s, he traveled to the United States where he met his wife, Miriam Schroeder, of Warrenton. They were married on December 1, 1995, in Hermann, extending Alex’s “visit” to the US to over two and one-half decades. Alex and Miriam lived in the San Francisco Bay area for 8 years, followed by 4 years near Los Angeles, prior to returning to Missouri in 2009.
Alex embraced his adopted city of St. Louis and took a special interest in local politics and neighborhood affairs, including volunteer work with victims of crime. As an Airbnb proprietor, Alex shared his pride in St. Louis with out-of-town guests. When his in-laws, Walter and Roxie Schroeder, of Warrenton visited the city, he was an endless source of suggestions for fun local and regional activities. Alex served a valued and essential role in his wife Miriam’s psychiatric practice, providing organizational support and serving as a patient liaison. He took a heartfelt interest in the well-being of the patients, who frequently expressed appreciation for his helpfulness, his sympathetic ear, and his lighthearted, upbeat nature.
Alex had a special interest in computers, technology, gardening, cacti, and succulents. He enjoyed browsing estate sales and had a shrewd eye for spotting a bargain. He especially enjoyed reselling items that he had acquired for virtually nothing. His series of pets included a python, “Monty,” and an iguana. Miriam was grateful when his choice of pets moved from reptiles to mammals. His beloved cats were always nearby to enjoy his generous attention.
Alex was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold and Carol Beecham and Umberto Bonino. He is survived by his loving wife, Miriam Schroeder; his parents, Richard and Danila Beecham; one sister, Charlotte Beecham and husband Damian Redman; one brother, Phillip Beecham and wife Robin Fleury-Beecham; maternal grandmother Graziella Cavallero; aunts and uncles, James Beecham, Francesco and Grazia Bonino, Alessandro Bonino, and Anna Villa; nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and other relatives and friends.
Visitation for Alexander Beecham will be held on Tuesday, March 29, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Smith Creek United Methodist Church, 11 miles south of Warrenton on Highway U. Funeral services will also be held at the church beginning at 11 a.m., with burial to follow at the Smith Creek Methodist Cemetery. Memorial donations should be directed c/o Martin Funeral Home, 510 East Main Street, Warrenton, MO 63383 and may be designated for either the St. Patrick Center's Shamrock Club (mental health services for homeless and other vulnerable persons in St. Louis, MO), the Tenth Life Cat Rescue (St. Louis, MO; prioritizes cats with special needs), or the Smith Creek Methodist Cemetery Association. Online condolences may be made at www.martinfuneral.net.
