Alexander James Francis Beecham of St. Louis died at his home on March 23, 2022, having reached the age of 52. 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 chance to learn the traditions and languages of their English father and Italian mother. The childhood years were punctuated by frequent trips to visit extended Italian family, including a long family tradition of vacationing together in the Italian Alps. Alex was a lover of languages and studied linguistics at the University of Brighton.
As a young adult, Alex became an adventurer and a traveler. In the mid-1990s, he traveled to the United States where he met his wife, Miriam Schroeder, of Warrenton. They married on December 1, 1995, in Hermann, extending Alex’s “visit” to the United States to more than two and a half decades. Alex and Miriam lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 8 years, followed by 4 years near Los Angeles, before moving back to Missouri in 2009.
Alex embraced his adopted hometown of St. Louis and took a particular interest in local politics and neighborhood affairs, including volunteer work with victims of crime. As an Airbnb owner, Alex has shared his St. Louis pride with out-of-town guests. When his in-laws Walter and Roxie Schroeder of Warrenton visited the town, he was an endless source of suggestions for fun local and regional activities. Alex played a valuable and essential role in the psychiatric practice of his wife Miriam, providing organizational support and serving as a patient liaison. He took a heartfelt interest in the welfare of patients, who frequently expressed his appreciation for his helpfulness, sympathetic ear, and cheerful, optimistic nature.
Alex had a particular interest in computers, technology, gardening, cacti and succulents. He enjoyed browsing estate sales and had a keen eye for spotting a good deal. He particularly liked reselling objects that he had acquired for almost nothing. His series of pets included a python, “Monty”, and an iguana. Miriam was grateful when her choice of pets changed from reptiles to mammals. Her beloved cats were always nearby to enjoy her generous attention.
Alex was predeceased by his grandparents, Harold and Carol Beecham and Umberto Bonino. He is survived by his beloved wife, Miriam Schroeder; her parents, Richard and Danila Beecham; one sister, Charlotte Beecham and her husband Damian Redman; one brother, Phillip Beecham and his 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 Tuesday, March 29 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Smith Creek United Methodist Church, 11 miles south of Warrenton on Highway U. Funeral services will also be held at the church in beginning at 11 a.m., with interment to follow at Smith Creek Methodist Cemetery. Memorial donations should be directed to Martin Funeral Home, 510 East Main Street, Warrenton, MO 63383 and may be designated for either St. Patrick Center’s Shamrock Club (mental health services for homeless and other vulnerable people in St. Louis, MO), Tenth Life Cat Rescue (St. Louis, MO; prioritizes cats with special needs), or the Smith Creek Methodist Cemetery Association. Online condolences can be made at www.martinfuneral.net.
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