Allyn Benedict

Benedict, Allyn B.
Allyn Berry Benedict, a child and servant of God, died on Thursday, March 16, peacefully at his home, surrounded by music, prayers and the family he loved. Allyn is survived by his wife of 42 years, Judith, daughter Sarah Cramer, son Thomas Benedict, daughter-in-law Amy Benedict, son-in-law Todd Cramer, sister Kathy Rodrigues and her husband Peter, brother William Benedict and his wife Janis, nine grandchildren, and extended family and friends.
Allyn was raised in Danbury, CT, by William and Althea Benedict. He earned a Master's degree in Piano Performance and Music Composition from Indiana University and spent the first half of his life teaching, performing and writing music. Allyn taught and developed the music curriculum at Hamden Hall Country Day School, performed (at The Kennedy Center, Ive's Center and Carnegie Hall, etc.), wrote commissioned works for the city of Danbury and the Hartford Stage (among others), was 12 years the choir director at St. Paul's Church in Southington, taught piano, conducted the Southington Festival Choral and was the composer-in-residence for Wesleyan University's Center for Creative youth.
At age 42, Allyn gave up his music career to attend Yale Divinity School where he earned an M. Div. and became first an Episcopal priest and then an Anglican priest. Allyn served as an assistant pastor at Trinity Church in Branford, CT, was pastor at Christ Church Watertown for 12 years and then pastor of New Hope Anglican Church. After retirement, Allyn taught theology and music composition at New Covenant Schools in Lynchburg, VA and preached at Church of the Good Shepherd. Allyn was also part of the Maranatha community in the UK where he taught from his book "Out of the Courtroom into the Father's House". Allyn authored a second book, a book of poetry and breadforthebody.com.
The wake will be held on Friday March 24 from 5-7 p.m. at the Diuguid Funeral Home at 811 Wiggington Rd in Lynchburg, VA and the funeral service at Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church at 2424 Rivermont Ave, Lynchburg on Saturday March 25 at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow.