'Carrying on Greg's legacy:' Becks Florist owner remembered by family and friends

The marquee at Becks Florist, 105 E. Washington St. in East Peoria, commemorates the passing of longtime owner Greg Becks. The fourth-generation florist died Jan. 21, leaving the shop to his business and life partner, Mary Reynolds.
The marquee at Becks Florist, 105 E. Washington St. in East Peoria, commemorates the passing of longtime owner Greg Becks. The fourth-generation florist died Jan. 21, leaving the shop to his business and life partner, Mary Reynolds.

After the death of owner Greg Becks, the marquee sign outside Becks Florist in East Peoria proclaims a commitment to “Carrying on Greg’s legacy."

Becks passed away Jan. 21 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was 67. He is survived by his father, Bill Becks; business and life partner, Mary Reynolds; daughter, Ash Reynolds; and brother, Victor Becks.

“Greg was my rock,” Mary Reynolds said. “He lifted me up and made me strong again.  We spent all of our time together at work and home.  We just loved each other’s company and never got bored. He meant everything to me and my child referred to him as the father she never had.”

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Store manager Linn Elliott creates a colorful arrangement at Becks Florist in East Peoria. Elliott knew Greg Becks for more than 40 years and worked for his father and grandfather.
Store manager Linn Elliott creates a colorful arrangement at Becks Florist in East Peoria. Elliott knew Greg Becks for more than 40 years and worked for his father and grandfather.

Having worked for Becks’ grandfather and father, store manager Linn Elliott knew him for over 40 years. Elliott said he admired Becks’ strong work ethic, and also found his creative side fascinating. In particular, Becks seemed to have both an affinity and an aptitude for designing and executing art with LEGO.

“The pieces were just so big and beautiful,” Elliott said. “Every one I've seen that he has done have just been exquisite.”

A fourth-generation florist, Becks had an inherent love of flowers and plants. He also enjoyed golf, reading, and spending time with his dog, Tala.

“He loved her dearly. They had their daily routine and playtime. She also came to work each day with us,” Reynolds said. “She misses him terribly.”

In addition to his impact on family and friends of both the two-legged and four-legged variety, Becks was a vital part of East Peoria’s business community, according to Elliott.

Becks Florist employee Kira Vaden works on an arrangement at her work station at the East Peoria shop.
Becks Florist employee Kira Vaden works on an arrangement at her work station at the East Peoria shop.

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“Greg was in touch with a lot of people and did a lot of things that went unseen or unnoticed,” Elliott said. "He was very generous with various charities and he was just a magnificent person.”

While Becks is gone, the business promised to continue its work — just the way Becks would have done.

“Though it will be a bumpy road," Becks Florist wrote on its Facebook page, "we look forward to continuing with Greg’s vision and providing our community with fresh, quality floral arrangements."

This article originally appeared on Pekin Daily Times: Greg Becks, owner of Becks Florist, remembered by family and friends