Adelbert Benson Jr., 74
STAMFORD, Vt. — Adelbert Adney "Joe" Benson Jr., 74, of Main Road, formerly of North Adams, died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, where he had been admitted earlier in the week.
Born in Readsboro, Vt., on Aug. 30, 1933, son of Adelbert Benson Sr. and Mary Bosley Benson, he attended schools there and in North Adams, including Houghton School and Drury High School.
A Navy veteran of the Korean War, he served aboard the USS Worcester from October 1952 until his honorable discharge on June 30, 1954.
Mr. Benson was last employed by Patten Corp. in Stamford, Vt., retiring in 1998. Before that, he worked for the former Shapiro Chevrolet, Emerson Construction, Brightwater Paper in Adams and the Bear Swamp Project in Rowe. Following his retirement, he worked at Berkshire Landings in the summer.
He was a member of Stamford Community Church; American Legion Post 29 in Readsboro, Vt.; the Vermont Sheriffs Assocation; the Brattleboro Shrine Club; the Northeast Association of Shrine Motor Corps; the Cairo Shriners of Rutland, Vt.; the York Rite Bodies of Bennington, Chapter 8; ; Bennington Council No. 8; the Taft Commandery No. 8; and the Scottish Rite Bodies Lodge of Pittsfield.
He was an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout troops in the town of Florida and in Stamford and a past master of Unity Lodge of Masons 89 in Jacksonville, Vt. He enjoyed fishing, traveling and camping. During the winter months, he traveled in his fifth wheel camper.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
He and his wife, the former Doris Burdick, were married Oct. 16, 1954, at Florida Baptist Church.
Besides his wife, he leaves a son, Michael John Benson of Wichita, Kans.; five grandchildren, Billy Jo Piantoni of North Adams, Joshua Piantoni of Adams, Sarah Hamm and Nathaniel Benson, both of St. George, Kans., and Michaela Becerra of Manhattan, Kan.; six great-grandchildren, Madison Benson, Christopher, Destiny and Dakota Hamm, Jonathan Becerra and Kendra Piantoni; his former daughter-in law, Arlene Benson of St. George; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
A daughter, Terry Jo Piantoni, died in 1998. He was predeceased by three brothers, Francis, Lawrence and Bert Benson, and by a sister, Eva Bushika.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr. Benson will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. at Stamford Community Church by the Rev. William Wilson, pastor. Burial will be at a later date in Millard Cemetery in Stamford.
There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center or to Springfield Shriners' Hospital, both in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapel, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.