Paul Benek Obituary
Paul J. Benek
of Chenango BridgePaul J. Benek, 77, passed away peacefully Monday, May 22, 2006. He was predeceased by his loving and devoted wife, Teresa Menichelli, of 39 years, who he missed and cherished so much; his mother, Mary Sterusky; and father, Paul Benek. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Jon vonWolfersdorf, and Suzanne and James Libous; his grandchildren who he adored, Christopher, Jonathan and Matthew vonWolfersdorf, and Jennifer and Stephanie Libous; brother-in-law, Tony Menichelli; and sisters-in-law, Irene Martin and Fran Menichelli; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Paul was in the Army National Guard - 1st Howitzer Battalion (105mm)(sp) 104th Artillery. He worked for Singer-Link Flight Simulation Co. for over 30 years. He took pride in his work on the many military simulators, including the F-16, AH-64 APACHE, B-2 STEALTH, B-52, and was part of the very first Apollo Simulator. He was an active member of the Chenango Bridge Fire Co. for 46 years, and Captain of the Fire Police for many of those. He was also a member of St. Christopher's Church, where he was always there to volunteer his services whether it was helping build the Church's outside pavilion or ushering every Saturday night mass. He loved traveling to Las Vegas, watching John Wayne movies, collecting miniature train sets, and was a big fan of the New York Mets. What he loved and enjoyed the most was being with his children and grandchildren. They were the lights of his life. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and was a good friend to so many. He lived life to the fullest, never slowing down, and he never lost his sense of humor. We love you with all our hearts, dad. You were the best of the best. There will be a hole in our hearts without you and mom in our lives, but mom has called you to her with her well-known phrase, "Well Paul, it's time to go." We would like to send a special thank you to the 2nd floor nursing staff of Susquehanna Nursing Center, especially Jackie, Kelli, Liz, Laurie, Linda and Lavonda, and also to his second family, the Chenango Bridge Fire Co. for their love and support through the years, especially his buddy, Mike, who was like a son to him.
A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, 8:45 a.m. at Wm. R. Chase & Son Funeral Home, 737 Chenango Street, Port Dickinson, and a Funeral Mass will follow at 9:30 a.m. at St. Christopher's Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul's memory to the Chenango Bridge Fire Co., P.O. Box 12, Chenango Bridge, N.Y. 13745.
Published by Press & Sun-Bulletin on May 26, 2006.