Roderick J. Beaton

Shrewsbury - Roderick Joseph Beaton was born in Somerville on July 29, 1941 a son of the late Roderick and Elda Marie (Annese) Beaton. Raised in Somerville, he was a graduate of Somerville High School where he played football and basketball. He proudly put himself through Boston College and later earned his Master's degree in criminal justice from Clark University. Rod was a Veteran of the United States Army.

Throughout his life, Rod maintained a passion for exercise. He enjoyed running and working out and he spent many years rowing with friends and family on Lake Quinsigamond. He was a familiar face at his local YMCA and always extolled the virtues of physical fitness.

Rod began his career with the Massachusetts State Police where he worked for over twenty years, retiring as Captain. Always the professional, Rod loved his work and served as a mentor to many troopers. His assignments included the Grafton Barracks, the Holden Barracks, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office, and lastly the Weston Barracks on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Upon retirement from the State Police, he became the assistant director of public safety at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Retirement afforded Rod more time for the things he loved which included: spending quality time with his family and friends; exercise; walking the beaches of Ogunquit; attending his grandkids' sporting events and activities, especially accompanying them for Halloween trick-or-treating. He was also a voracious reader and loved listening to music and watching sports, especially the Boston Celtics.

Rod died on Monday, November 29, 2021. He was 80.

He leaves his wife, Diana Beaton; his sons, Brian R. Beaton (Jennifer) and Matthew A. Beaton (Laura); his step-son, Christopher Henchey (Andrea); his grandchildren, Abigail, John, Brynn, Samuel, Lillian, Theodore, Evalyn and Logan, all of Shrewsbury; his sisters, Mary Ellen Quinn of Amherst, New Hampshire, Susanne Beaton of Lowell and Geraldine 'Gerri' Papa (David) of Venice Florida; also survived by nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Rod's life by gathering for calling hours in The Eastern Shores Club, 206 South Quinsigamond Avenue, Shrewsbury on Sunday, December 5th from 2 to 5 p.m. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. in Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury. Burial is private.

Memorials in his name may be made to the State Police Association of Massachusetts Benevolent Fund, 11 Beacon Street | Suite 700 | Boston, MA 02108 or www.msptrooper.org/spam-benevolent-fund.

Arrangements by James & John Heald.