Harry S. Beall, Jr. (1927-2015)

Amherst, Harry S. Beall, Jr. died Saturday April 11 2015 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton MA after a brief illness.  He was born on March 4 1927 to Harry S. Beall Sr. and Hazel Long Beall in Rockville Maryland.    

Harry was a boy soprano for the St. Albans School at the Washington Cathedral in Washington DC, on a full scholarship, until his voice changed and he returned home to graduate from Richard Montgomery High School.   He attended Western Maryland College until he was drafted into the Army towards the end of WWII. 

In the early 1950’s he worked for Community Concerts and set up local concert series in over 100 cities across the USA, followed by several years as the mid-west sales rep for Columbia Artist Management.  From 1959-1964 he was the first full time Press Secretary for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.   

In 1964 he was a founding partner in Judson O’Neill Beall and Steinway that was the beginning of his career as a classical music manager, which he did until his retirement in 1992.  During his career in classical music he worked with Lily Pons, Van Cliburn, Arthur Fiedler, Gary Graffman, Jessye Norman and the Guarneri String quartet for 35 years as well as many others.  He made many dear friends in the business of producing classical music concerts. 

In 1956 he married Mary Jane Lester of Saratoga Springs NY.  They spent 58 years together, raising a family and making countless friends along the way. 

Harry is survived by his beloved wife Mary, his son Martin Beall and Jane Beall of Midlothian VA and his son Andy Beall and Hut Beall of Pelham MA as well as his three cherished grandchildren Christopher, Alexandra and Charlie. 

All who knew Harry will remember him for his outgoing personality, his quick wit and the twinkle in his eye.  Whether you knew Harry casually or for a lifetime, you witnessed his love of life and friendship and the joy he spread wherever he went.   

There will be a brief Committal service at the columbarium at Grace Church in Amherst on Thursday April 16 at 11:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the University of Massachusetts, Fine Arts Center. 

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.