Donald Beckford

Donald Fernandes Beckford, affectionately known as Bug, Buggy, or Bugsy passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Neville Center at Fresh Pond in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was 88 years old. Donald earned his lifelong nickname from his mother's friends who thought he was the cutest little "Love Bug".

Born on Saturday, June 19, 1937, in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, to Alice E. Beckford (Jackson) and Harold S. Beckford. He was the fifth of six children, Millicent, Phyllis, Hoover, William, (Donald) and Alice. He moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, with his mother and older siblings in 1937 when Donald was 2 months old. While his father remained on the water as a merchant marine. 

Donald attended Cambridge Public Schools and built a life rooted in hard work and unmistakable character. He served in the Army National Guard and carried himself with strength, pride, and a wicked sense of humor. He also worked as a meat lugger in the bustling meat markets of Boston and later at Polaroid in Cambridge.

Known for his pride and style, Donald had a love of Cadillac cars with "gangsta" white wall tires and made sure everyone knew it. His favorite patch in all of his Cadillacs read "Cash, Grass, or Ass, Nobody Rides for Free." Donald had a flair for the creative. He was known for painting and bedazzling walking sticks that Harold Sr., Harold Jr, and Cynthia would bring back as gifts from various countries, each one reflecting his colorful and original personality. 

Donald had a deep love for jazz music, which filled the home every Sunday morning while he cooked breakfast for his family-a tradition that became a part of his legacy. He was a passionate cook who loved to impress family and guests with dishes like chicken croquettes, perfectly prepared steak served with the thinnest French fries you could imagine, and his favorite, making his infamous lobster rolls for his grandkids. He surely had a special skill with kitchen knives. He also loved to bake lemon meringue pies and make his famous graham cracker pie crust from scratch. If he was in the kitchen, you knew something scrumptious was coming out to melt your taste buds.

He was the originator of many classic one-liners; "Nuttin Honey," a favorite he often used, and other unfiltered favorites like "shut the fuck up, ""You big Ninny," and "kiss my hind parts." He said what he meant and he meant what he said, and most people loved him for it, especially his sister Alice, who many thought was his wife.

Donald was a devoted father. From his first wife, Roberta, he had three daughters, Nancy, Phyllis, and Darlene. From his second wife, Rosetta, he had a son and a daughter: Harold Sr. and Cynthia. Cynthia will tell you that she was his FAVORITE because she is the baby of the bunch, whom he knicknamed "Cinny Baby." Each of his children had a special place in his heart. Although not always displayed in the best way, he did the best he thought he could. His love for his firstborn daughter, Nancy, was undeniable. He had all of the young boys in Cambridge afraid to date her. He would often visit her job and, on occasion, would unintentionally embarrass the hell out of her. One embarrassing visit resulted in him sitting at her desk and attempting to put a catheter together. He loved to go fishing with Phyllis, and he also enjoyed bringing Harold Sr., Cynthia, and Shelley to Darlene's track meets. He even shined Darlene's shoes while she was in the police academy, but refused to help Cynthia shine her shoes when she was in the police academy, because, as he put it, "Uncle Sam taught you how to shine shoes, so you can shine your own shoes!" He enjoyed taking Harold and Cynthia to various carnivals and arcades throughout Massachusetts. And he taught his children and grandchildren how to drive just as recklessly as he did. His love for his family was as big and bold as he was. He had no problem saying, "I wish someone would try to fuck with my family!"

He was the best grandfather any grandkid could ask for. His grandkids would go to his house just to hang out or dig out candy from the bucket, purchased especially for them. And he made sure to keep the bucket filled with each of their favorite candies. He was a man of unwavering presence and boundless love. To his grandchildren, he was more than just a grandfather-he was a constant source of joy, wisdom, and comfort. If his grandchildren asked for something, he would find a way to give it to them. If his grandkids needed advice, his words were steady and true. If his grandchildren were down, he could lift them up with a joke, a story, or just the sound of his laugh. His legacy lives on in every smile he gave them and every lesson he taught with patience and heart, including every swear word in the book.

He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Millicent, Phyllis, Hoover and William and daughter Nancy.

Buggy leaves to celebrate his life and mourn his passing, his children Phyllis Beckford, Darlene (Beckford) Pearson (James), Harold Beckford Sr. (Tania), and Cynthia Beckford-Brewington. His seven grandchildren are Shelley (Beckford) Flaherty (Ehren), Carolyn Butler, Kyla Beckford, Harold Beckford Jr, Jayda Pearson, Zaria Brewington, and Kamya Beckford. Seven great-grandchildren: Deavoni Beckford, Demetri Flaherty, Chance Flaherty, Amari Flaherty, Khaleil Butler, SurKhari Cotrell, Xyla Colebrooke, and one great-great-grandchild, Kayden Gordon. His former wife Rosetta (Smith) Beckford, sister Alice (Beckford) Burke, nephew, Nelson Woodfork, niece Nancy Woodfork, Sisters-in-law, Ayako "Ike Beckford and Cynthia Johnson-Smith, and a host of other family and friends.