Carlos "Carlito" Beckford

Carlos "Carlito" Beckford, age 73, of West Palm Beach, Florida passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Carlito was born on August 14, 1950, in Guantanamo, Guantánamo Province, Cuba to Charles Wilson Beckford and Blanca Beckford (both deceased). He was the first-born of five siblings.

After the Cuban Revolution, Carlos' family made the difficult decision to leave Cuba and emigrate to the United States. Carlos was 15 years old at the time and because boys 15 and older were required to serve out a term of military service, Carlos could not leave the Island with his parents and siblings. Carlos was left in the care of his grandmother, Ana Duncan, and his aunts and uncles.

Carlos was separated from his family for 4 years. During that time his parents and siblings longed to be reunited with him and he with them. In 1968 Carlos and a group of young men made a daring decision. After weeks of planning and trial runs, they jumped into the ocean and began swimming towards Guantanamo Bay. They were picked up by a barge that straddled Cuba and the US Naval base and were turned over to the US Marines. The family was finally reunited. So began, the improbable but true story of Carlos' new beginning in the US.

Carlos attended and graduated from Barringer High School in Newark, NJ. After graduating, Carlos worked in retail, until his parents convinced him to go to College. Carlos attended and graduated from Montclair State College. Carlos worked as a Social Worker for the City of Newark for over twenty years.

Carlos' early experiences gave him a keen interest in politics and world events. He was active in causes and organizations whose missions were to bring change and democracy to Cuba. He was also an active and vocal union member always advocating for better work conditions and professional opportunities.

People were drawn to Carlos because he was funny, charming, smart, and personable. He could beat you at dominos, talk world politics, and tell you a joke all in the same breath.

After spending most of his life in New Jersey, Carlos retired and moved to West Palm Beach Florida to be close to his parents and extended family. Carlos passed away after a brief illness.

He is survived by his brothers, Alfredo Beckford and Ricardo Beckford and his sister, Lina Beckford, his Aunt, Elena Duncan, his cousins Sara J. Beckford, Estela Beckford, Elizabeth Brayhwaite, Jesus Beckford, Maria Wedderburn and Peggy Duncan and uncle Pedro Alfonso Beckford as well as many cousins who are still in Cuba.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Cristina Beckford Gebhard, his father, Charles Wilson Beckford, and his mother Blanca Lina Beckford.