Roderick E. Benjamin

CUBA - Roderick E. Benjamin, 83, of 5787 Hilltop Road, Cuba, passed away Sunday (Jan. 17, 2016) at Cuba Memorial Hospital's Palliative Care Unit after a lengthy illness.

Born on March 16, 1932, in Cuba, he was a son of Leon and Edith Gleason Benjamin. On Nov. 15, 1955, in the First Baptist Church of Cuba, he married his wife of 60 years, the former Hope Scott, who survives.
Rod was a graduate of Cuba Central School Class of 1951. He later graduated from Alfred State University with a degree in mechanical engineering.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. He then went to work as a design engineer for Xerox in Rochester for many years, retiring in 1991.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cuba; the Ontario Golf Club, where he was president for three years; Cuba VFW Post 2721 and Cuba American Legion Post 655.

He enjoyed golf, exercising, walking, downhill skiing and traveling with his wife to all 50 states. For 14 winters he and his wife traveled the United States in their fifth-wheel camper. His greatest love was spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife he is survived by a son, Brian (Wendy) Benjamin of Seven Lakes, N.C.; a daughter, Barb (Bill) Nielander of Webster; four grandchildren, Ross, Cassidy, Zak and Kyle; a brother, Leon Benjamin of Pennsylvania; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Donald Benjamin; and a sister, Fanny Botens.

Friends will be received at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service Inc., 9 Bull St., Cuba, today from 3 to 5 and 7 to 8 p.m. and Thursday (Jan. 21, 2016) from 10 to 11 a.m., at which time a memorial service will be held. Claudia Little, a friend of the family, will officiate.

Burial will be in Cuba Cemetery, Cuba.

The family requests memorials in Rod's name be made to Cuba VFW Post 2721, 5425 Route 305 North, Cuba, NY 14727. Online condolences may be sent at www.rinkerfuneralhome.com.