Wayne A. Beckett, a lifelong resident of Reading, passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, November 25. He was 64 years of age.

Raised in Reading, Wayne was the beloved son of Ruth D. (Lofberg) Beckett, and the late Arthur E. Beckett. Wayne was a kind and gentle soul, who loved spending time with his family watching local baseball and softball games, and going to barbeques at his brother's house.

Wayne was known around town as the "Fry-Man," because he was in charge of cooking the french fries at the McDonalds in Reading where he had worked for 18 years. Wayne was a longtime resident of the Peter Sanborn House, and was one of the original residents when it opened.

In addition to his mother, Wayne is survived by one brother, Wesley A. Beckett and his wife Patricia Murphy of Wakefield; and he was preceded in death by one brother, the late Ronald C. Beckett, who died in September. Wayne is also survived by several loving cousins.

A funeral service will be held at the Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) in Reading on Tuesday, December 2 at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Visiting hours will be at the funeral home on Monday evening from 4-8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boston Children's Hospital, c/o Children's Hospital Trust, 401 Park Dr., Ste.602, Boston, MA 02215.