THEODORE A. BENTON

1940 - 2018

BENTON, Theodore Anthony B. June 9, 1940 - D. January 15, 2018

Winchester, MA - After an extraordinary battle, Theodore Anthony (Ted) Benton passed away peacefully surrounded by those he loved most. Mentor to many, the consummate gentleman and loved by thousands of students over the years, Ted, as he was known, was a brilliant English instructor. He unraveled the mysteries of Beowulf and classic literature at Winchester High School where he also coached wrestling. In addition he taught at Leslie College and when he was a Holy Cross Brother his missionary work took him deep into the jungle of Brazil, teaching history and biology. He was empathetic to all, extraordinarily kind and an endless source of razor sharp wit as he gently went about his days, changing lives and introducing young minds to the wonders of Shakespeare and the power of the written word. Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, he entered into the seminary of the Holy Cross Brothers in Notre Dame, Indiana after graduating from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later in life he earned a Master's Degree in English from Boston University, married and fathered two wonderful sons. He always said, "The life of the mind is where it's at." His was an interesting life, well-lived, well-traveled and well-loved. He is survived by his son, Brian Patrick Benton and his wife Roberta Wilson Benton of Winthrop, MA, Matthew Jason Benton and his wife, Danielle DuBois Benton of Salem, MA, his sister, Lynn Benton Bagnal and her husband Junius Scott Bagnal Jr. of Edisto Island, South Carolina, his sister-in-law, Pat C. Benton of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, his brother Michael Kent Benton and his wife Jennifer Tewell Benton of Prosper, Texas, his sister Dorothea Benton Frank and her husband Peter Richard Frank of Montclair, New Jersey and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in death by his twin brother, William Oliver Benton, his first wife Eunice Kanzler Benton and his second wife, Joanne Martignette Benton. Friends are welcome to visit on Sunday, January 21 from two until five in the afternoon at Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St. (Rte. 38) WINCHESTER, MA. And a requiem Mass will be held on Monday, January 22 at ten in the morning at St. Eulalia's Church in Winchester. Memorial donations to support liver cancer research can be made online at www.BIDMC.org/giving.