Max Becker Jr.

Max Becker Jr. of Buffalo passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026, at age 97, at home, in the presence of family. He is reunited with the love of his life and wife of 60 years, Cora Hunt Dickinson, who passed in 2010.

Max was born in 1928 and attended Nichols School, graduated from Phillips Andover Academy and after graduation from Amherst College in 1950, joined his father at the Buffalo real estate and insurance firm Gurney Becker & Bourne. In October 1950 he married his soulmate, Cora H. Dickinson (Corky). Nine months later, in July 1950, he was activated as part of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 209 Antiaircraft Artillery Group and served in the Korean War. He and Corky moved to Georgia where Max trained at Camp Gordon, GA; Camp Stewart, GA; and Indiantown Gap Military Reservation. He was deactivated in August 1952 as Master Sargeant. He returned with Corky to Buffalo and resumed his employment with Gurney Becker & Bourne, and his distinguished career in real estate and general insurance.

Until November 2025 and for over 70 years prior, he worked at Gurney Becker & Bourne, most recently serving as Chairman. Initially, he worked in residential real estate and insurance. He later changed to include commercial and industrial real estate to his main area of expertise. His clients included General Electric, Chrysler Reality, Nabisco, Kraft, Bayer Supply, Fisher-Price, Jefferson Smurfit, among others.

For many years Max was the President of Gurney Becker & Bourne in addition to being active and serving in numerous leadership roles for professional organizations. Most notably, he was a past President of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) Local Chapter and a National District Vice President and Director. He was a member of the SIOR Legacy Circle. As a result of his long service in the region and volunteer leadership many considered him the dean of commercial real estate in Western New York. He was honored with multiple awards including the New York State Commercial Association of Realtors Lifetime Achievement Award and Buffalo’s Annual Business First Lifetime Achievement “Brick by Brick” Award. Max genuinely cared for Buffalo’s historical significance, responsible future development and economic success.

Max also proudly served his beloved community in volunteer leadership roles at multiple Buffalo nonprofits. In 1964, he and Corky were the first husband and wife team to lead the United Way Employee Division. From 1963-1993 he served on the Board of Directors of Millard Fillmore Hospital. Other notable community service roles included: Board of Directors the Blind Association, Vice President Board of Directors Dent Family Foundation, Faculty of the Saturn Club and Vice Dean, Board of Directors Country Club of Buffalo and Secretary.

Max and his beloved wife of 60 years, Corky, were proud to be Buffalonians. They were season ticket holders of the Bills and the Sabres and lifetime members of The Saturn Club, the Country Club of Buffalo, the Garrett Club, and Westminster Church where they were married and Max served as a deacon for over a decade.

Devoted husband, Max was predeceased by his wife Corky and sisters Joan Becker Crane of Buffalo and Somerset, MA and Francie Becker Braman of Westport, CT. He is survived by his 103 years young sister Barbara Becker Dearborn of Sarasota, FL; children Max Becker, III of Bridgeport, CT and Elizabeth Becker Lenahan of Miami, FL. Four grandchildren also survive him; Lindsey Becker of Maplewood, NJ, Christopher Becker of NYC, Andrew Lenahan of Miami, FL, Kimberly Lenahan of Sao Miguel Island, the Azores, Portugal and 5 Great-Grandchildren: Maggie, Ryan, Avra, Isabel, and Ayla.

The family wishes to extend thanks to his doctors, nurses, and caregivers and particularly Team 4 at Hospice for their incredible support and care.

Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church February 28, 2026, at 11:00. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in his honor to the Hospice Foundation. Donate online or send a check made payable to: Hospice Foundation, PO Box 590, Buffalo, NY 14240-0590. https://www.hospicebuffalo.com/give-get-involved/donate-now#make-a-gift-online