Benjamin McCoy Obituary

MCCOY - Benjamin Jenison McCoy, of Grandville, was called to his heavenly home on his 96th birthday, Wednesday, November 9, 2011. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Ruth (Austin) McCoy, his parents, and eight siblings. Ben played for the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1930's and early 1940's and had the distinction of being the oldest living former Detroit Tiger. Ben proudly served his country in the US Navy during WWII. Ben retired from Sysco Frostpack after 25 years of dedicated service. He was an avid golfer, loved the family pets, feeding and watching the birds, listening and singing along to the Mills Brothers Music of the 40's, and especially enjoyed watching sports with his grandsons on Sunday afternoons. Ben was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather with a great sense of humor and a quick wit, who put family first in all he did. He will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Linda and Ron Timmer, Patti McCoy, Kris and Joe Tuszynski; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Scott and Jody Timmer (Jason, Dani), Jeff and Kelly Timmer (Hudson, Averill), Tim Mellema, Shari and Adam Henkel (Elise, Jack), Benjamin and Kelly Kroft (Oliver, Chloe), Katie and Sam Parker (twins Bryce, Matthew); sisters-in-law, Marian Stehower, Pat Austin; and many special nieces and nephews. We know he will be lovingly remembered by Fred Kroft, Dick Mellema; and special neighbor, Mike Miller and his family, to whom the family would like to express their appreciation and thanks. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home, (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive, with Chaplain John DeVries officiating. Interment Grandville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Benny McCoy Memorial Tree Fund for a tree to be placed at Sheldon Meadows in memory of Benny or to Faith Hospice. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dad's "girls" and dancing partners at Sheldon Meadows for the wonderful love and care that they gave to Ben and to Faith Hospice for their help and support. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf

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Published by Grand Rapids Press from Nov. 10 to Nov. 11, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin McCoy

14 Entries

Don Van Singel

November 12, 2011

Pat, I am so sorry to read about your father's passing in the Holland paper this morning. Years ago when we were in school together my father talked about your dad, since they were in school at the same time at Grandville HS. I have always thought of you as a special friend who was part of my past. Jolene and I will be praying for your family as you mourn and asking God to comfort you in the days to come.

Sid Helder

November 11, 2011

I remember Benny from my childhood days, when his brother lived next door to me on Byron Center Ave. His niece, MaryAnn was my playmate when we were 5 or 6 years old. I have a photo of her and me with a trailer behind my wagon. I also received a signed baseball from Benny when he visited there. I, of course, went right out and played with it until someone told me that I should keep it as it was special. I still have that baseball even though it has some scuff marks on it. I will always cherish it, and the memories of those times. My condolences to the family.

Elizabeth Taylor

November 11, 2011

To the McCoy family I send my love and my sympathy to you all. I will cherish my time, dances and laughter with Benny. He was a great family man and friend. I also enjoyed watching how your family surrounded him loved him and most definitively protected him. Family is so important and you are truly a great family stay close God Bless You All

Mike & Linda (Wilderom) Philo

November 10, 2011

When I opened the obituaries and saw Benjamin McCoy from Grandville, I thought I'd better send a short message. My mother, Martha (Faber) Wilderom, used to talk about playing baseball in Grandville with the neighbor kids. If Benny McCoy was on the other team she'd be upset, since he could really hit that ball. She was actually proud of his accomplishments and the thought that she used to play ball with him. Mom also continued to live in Grandville until she died in 1997.

You have our sympathy, and we'll keep the family in our prayers.

George Baumgartner

November 10, 2011

We were so sorry to read about your Dad's passing. We know how close this family is and know this will be a big hole in the heart of your family. Please know you all have our thoughts at this very sad time in your lives.
Sincerely,
George and Debbie Baumgartner

Michael Micho

November 10, 2011

Dear McCoy family,Mr. McCoy was a wonderful man and great to his fans from his playing career with both the Athletics and especially the Detroit Tigers.Myself being a huge life-long Tigers fan,I had wrote to Mr. McCoy a few yrs. back and asked if he wouldn`t mind signing an autograph for myself and my two sons.We had not heard from him for about 1 month,then we received his signature along with a note stating he was sorry it took so long to respond to our request,however,his wife had recently passed away and he did not feel up to answering his mail.We wrote him back,Thanking him for remebering us,and to never feel sorry about not responding to us quicker.My son`s and I are very sorry to hear of your loss and our throughs and prayers will be with you.Mr. McCoy was a true gentleman in every sence of the word.God bless you all.

Tom Dinger

November 10, 2011

McCoys, Austins & Patti, I was so sorry to hear of “Dad's” passing. He was always a guy to look up to and so much fun to be around. I never really bought the “gruff old guy” routine he loved to portray himself as. I had to remind him of who I was about a year ago, which was the last time I saw him. Glad I stopped. We all knew him as a peach of a guy, a great family man and a few of us knew him as one quality Father-in-Law. I truly hope he's huggin' Mom up in heaven now and on his way to play a little ball with his brothers. We will all cherish his memory. I know you will pass his stories along for years to come. I hope the Lord and your family will give you strength in this time of sorrow.
Respectfully,

November 10, 2011

Thinking of you at this difficult time....our thoughts and prayers are with you. We only knew Benny a short time but thought he was such a neat guy!!! Mom, Glen and I enjoyed his many stories...what a legacy he has left to you all!!! Glen and Roberta DeWaard

November 10, 2011

Please know my heart and prayers are with you all during this time. Love and much peace to you...Cindy Wallace

November 10, 2011

Thinking of you, Patti, during the loss of your father, Benjamin. Although we did not know your dad, he had a long life filled with many special interests and a good family to surround him throughout his life and during his last days. God bless your dad and your entire family!

Dave and Ginny Vidro

November 10, 2011

Benny will be miss so much. Even last night walking by his room I got a little choked up. He was one of a kind. My best memory is looking down the hall way and seeing him practice his swing with his cane. Love you Benny. My sympathy to The Whole McCoy clan. Pam Vaughn

Megan (Oostveen) Sullivan

November 10, 2011

Thinking of your family and missing Grandpa McCoy, he will always be remembered as a "great one". Love you all, Megan and Jimm Sullivan

November 10, 2011

It's been a couple of years since I've seen Benny but he always took the time to talk baseball with me anytime I stopped by. Absolutely treasure his stories of life with the Tigers in the 30's. The one thing I took out of our conversations was his love of Sunday Football with the Grandkids. Meant the world to him. Will miss our conversations greatly
Terry Lewis

Chet & Molly Bush

November 10, 2011

We are so sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

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