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PETER J. BENELLI

FUNERAL HOME

Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals

1 Independence Ave

Quincy, Massachusetts

PETER BENELLI Obituary

Name: Memorial service for PETER J. BENELLI
Start: 2013-12-15T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Center for the Arts on the campus of Thayer Academy

BENELLI, Peter J. Age 81, of Braintree and Orleans, formerly of Quincy, passed away on December 2, 2013 after living with pancreatic cancer for two and a half years. Peter was born in Quincy and graduated from Quincy High School, Class of 1950. He graduated from Yale University, Class of 1954, where he received his degree as an English major. He later earned his Masters degree in Education from Harvard University in 1964. After service in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, Peter began his teaching career at The Gunnery in Washington, CT. He then became an English teacher at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA, during which time he served as an assistant football and baseball coach. Peter was appointed the fifth Headmaster of Thayer Academy in 1967, a position he proudly held for 24 years. After retiring, he continued to work for Thayer Academy as Director of Special Gifts. In the larger community, Peter served on the Board of Directors of South Shore Hospital, the Quincy Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Quincy YMCA. He was an active member of the Braintree Rotary Club. After Peter retired from Thayer Academy, he taught classes for the C. Louis Cedrone International Education Program at Framingham University at various sites including Brazil, Venezuela, Turkey, Taiwan, and Bahrain. Beloved husband of Carolyn (Solander) for 59 years. Devoted father of James J. Benelli and his wife Nancy Jo of Braintree, Pauline J. Benelli of Quincy, Thomas M. Benelli and his wife Yvonne of Acton, and Nancy J. Benelli of Chanhassen, MN, widow of his beloved son, David P. Benelli, Lt. Braintree Fire Department. He was the loving grandfather of Jeffrey D. Benelli and his wife Marla of MN, Griffin R. Benelli and his wife Hannah of Charlestown, Jill F. Benelli of Orleans, Brady J. Benelli of Dorchester, Colin R. Benelli of Braintree, Jessica Y. Benelli and Calvin T. Benelli of Acton. Cherished great grandfather of twins, Margaret and Alessandra Benelli of MN. Predeceased by his brother Gerard V. Benelli. A memorial service will be held in the Center for the Arts on the campus of Thayer Academy, 745 Washington Street, Braintree, on Sunday, December 15, at 1:00 p.m. Campus parking is available. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. For those who wish to make a donation in Peters memory, they may be sent to the Peter J. Benelli Scholarship Fund, c/o Thayer Academy, 745 Washington Street, Braintree, MA 02184. Arrangements under the direction of the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy. You are invited to visit www.thsweeneybrothers.com or call 617-472-6344.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Dec. 7 to Dec. 8, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for PETER BENELLI

22 Entries

Pauline Benelli

Planted Trees

Christopher Tingus

December 1, 2021

Peter, thank you from all of us fortunate to be Thayer family members for your perspicacity, your daily mentoring, your steady and capable helmsmanship as coach, Headmaster and sharing such an enthusiastic spirit. We enjoyed our Monday morning Chapel where you greeted us at the beginning of the week and we shall never forget the Friday Tiger rallies in support of a winning and unbeatable week after week of Thayer football!

Thank you for making such a contribution to us all!

May your memory be eternal!

Christopher Tingus
Class of '68
https://web.archive.org/web/20071229085119/http://bigdiglifevest.com/

Paula Miller

December 16, 2013

The Deschenes family always felt very connected to the Benelli family. I know my Dad, Don Deschenes will be waiting in heaven to meet his good friend Peter. I am sure they have a game of bridge going right now. Dad, make sure you show Peter around and you boys have some fun! Polly and Jamey, my heart goes out to both of you. Mrs. B, my Mom sends her love and sympathy. I know you both will see each other on the Cape. Hugs and Kisses, Paula (Deschenes) Miller

December 16, 2013

Mr. Benelli made it possible for me to attend Thayer from 1970-1974. I was there because of his outreach to Berea SDA School. It was tough during those days, but he was fair, even-handed and I knew that he would always stand for and do the right thing. Because of this opportunity, he impacted my life tremendously. He was trully a bright light and a man worthy of genuine respect. God Bless.

Heather Graham-Oliver ('74)
Washington, D.C.

Jim McKenzie '70

December 15, 2013

I also was lucky enough to attend and graduate from Thayer (1970)and to have Mr Benelli as my headmaster. I found him to be one of the nicest and fairest people I ever had throughout my learning experience. I didn't realize how in tune he was with his students until my senior year: he had me teach freshman English once, and gave me advice on playing safety for the football team. I had no idea he knew I liked teaching, and even less idea that he knew who was on the football team. (I was not very good and did not start.)That's the kind of administrator he was: fair, nice and aware. He was a really good man.

Greg Hill

December 14, 2013

Peter Benelli was my English teacher in 1962. He was erudite, droll and engaging; his class was always an experience.

We have lost a true Renaissance Man.

Michael Tenore

December 13, 2013

Mr. Benelli arrived at Thayer and as my English teacher in 1958, '59, he affected my future profession as an English teacher and administrator Washington and Or. States.
My brothers, Frank and Richard and I loved him as did our parents Frank and Rose Tenore.

Rest in peace Dear Friend and Mentor
Michael F. Tenore '59

December 13, 2013

My wife Jody Andrews Summers '64 and I send our prayers and best wishes to the Benelli family. Peter was my AP English teacher and mentor. I am grateful to him for both. He was a super star...a true Renaissance Man...The Thayer community was indeed fortunate to have the benefit of his wisdom and guidance as a teacher and administrator....We will all miss his presence. Bob Summers '63

December 12, 2013

To the Benelli Family,
It has been years since our paths have crossed but they are not forgotten- remembering all the good times had by our families together at the Thayer Academy pool, our homes, and between friends. God Bless- Beth Garvin Myette Class of 1980

Christopher Tingus

December 9, 2013

As a member of the Thayer Class of '68, Peter's keen interest in each of us as Headmaster and educator, his encouragement and willing conveyance in role model as portrayed by his personal and professional attributes and skills, emphasizing - respect, compassion for fellow human being, commitment in discipline whether in the classroom or on the sports field and the importance in joining together in team spirit - all much appreciated and helping to show us the way nurtured by such an outstanding, brilliant and true gentleman!

As a class like so many others in our close Thayer community, We are grateful for such cherished memories which we continue to strive in passing the same lessons to our children and especially our precious Grandchildren....

Thank you Peter.

God Bless you!

Chuck Toomey

December 9, 2013

Jamie and family;

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Benelli family during a most difficult time. Your dad was an inspiration to me and many, many others. I sincerely hope you find comfort in knowing that he is at peace in a wonderful place, in the arms of our Lord.

Geoffrey Cote

December 9, 2013

To the entire Benelli Family please accept my condolences on the passing of such a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. The fairest and most honest educator I met through all my school years. I was fortunate, through my friendship with Jamie, to not only admire the gentleman he was as an educator, but also as a family man at home. No matter the situation, Mr. Benelli could always find humor in whatever arose through the education of teenagers. Not always easy, but he some how made it look so. Most people did not like being called into the Head Master's office, however, I think I can speak for most of my classmates when I say there was no fear involved when we had the chance to spend one on one time with this amazing gentleman and educator.
Our family's thoughts and prayers are with the entire Benelli Family at this most difficult time.

Karen Scholl/Anzuoni

December 8, 2013

I started my freindship with the Benelli family years ago when I enterd the second grade at THAYER LANDS. Polly and I became best freinds! Over the years they always made me feel like family! Somethings you my not know about "MR. B" is that he had a great garden every summer! He was also an awesome cook ! We would make trips to the North End for fine food,but I still loved his homemade pizza the best. I remember opening the refrig one day and a huge plastic bag of squid fell into my arms! He had a few laughs over that. It scared and grossed me out so much, I made sure I went home that day to avoid having to run into it again on my dinner plate!!For a few March school vacations, the Benellis would drive to Ga. for a week. Tom,Polly and I would pile into the back of the car. WE would play endless car games and make up crazy Add Lib stories. One thing I will never foget is the smell from the kitchen and his pipe ! To this day when I smell a pipe, I will always think of "MR B". To all of the Benelli family, my family have you all in our thoughts and prayers.I am lucky I was able to see this wonderful man in a differant light.

December 8, 2013

Peter's spirit will live on in the hearts of all who love him. xoxo Jane and Gary

Paul Yovino

December 8, 2013

I had the privilege to be one of Peter Benelli's many students. Peter was the most influential teacher I had in my years of education - at all levels.

As I was maturing slowly into late adolescence in the early 1960's Peter Benelli taught me how to think, to analyze and more significantly how to write. I remember a group of us piling into his '57 Plymouth station wagon on the way to the Shubert Theatre in Boston to see Richard Burton in Hamlet? Third balcony and you could hear Burton as Hamlet as clear as a bell. Thanks to Peter Benelli he made Shakespeare come alive and relevant to a teenager.

Seven years ago when a classmate and friend died I wrote an In Memoriam in the Thayer Magazine. A few weeks later an email popped into my box with the simple but clearly Peter Benelli statement "....where did you learn to write like that ..." and that he was very proud of me. I wrote back with the suggestion that he " look in the mirror...". I treasure that email more than the "A" I never got in his class and probably never deserved.

Peter Benelli will always be the example and the standard of what Thayer Academy has to offer its students - a standard that is far greater than the brick and mortar of its beautiful campus.

Peter Benelli, a good man, a mentor and more than all that a teacher in the fullest sense of that word.

I was blessed that he passed my way.

My deepest sympathy to Carolyn and the entire Benelli family'

May he rest in peace.

Paul Yovino
Thayer Academy Class of ' 64

Christopher Welch

December 8, 2013

Please accept my sincerest condolences. I'll always remember Mr Benelli taking the time to watch our baseball games in front of Thayerlands. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Chris Welch

December 7, 2013

I enjoyed working with Peter for many years. He will be missed by all of us who knew him. Our thoughts are with all of you at this sad time. Joyce Prince (former faculty).

Pat Marag

December 7, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Bill Maui

December 7, 2013

From the first day I arrived at Thayer in 1961 and during the five years I taught English at Thayer, Peter Benelli stood for me as an ideal of a fine teacher and a wise and compassionate man, whom I tried to emulate. One afternoon he came into Room 2 to sit with my class while I took a team to an away match. He sat down at the teacher's desk with no books or papers. I said, "Do you have anything to do?" He said, "Think."

December 7, 2013

Caroly and family... my sympathies are with all of you at this time, Sheila Way

December 7, 2013

A very nice person.
was a pleasure to know Peter.
Rick Molisse.

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