John J. "Junior" Benzi Jr.

John J. "Junior" Benzi Jr., 93, of the Hilldale section of Plains Twp., passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Born in the Hilldale section of Plains Twp., he was the son of the late John Sr. and Clelia Leonardi Benzi.

John was a 1945 graduate of Plains Memorial High School and served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1950, serving aboard the USS Waxsaw – AH 91. He resided in Hilldale for most of his life.

Prior to his retirement, John worked as a millwright for construction unlimited at Procter & Gamble, Mehoopany, and previously at Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Berwick. He was a member of the Plains Rotary Club and The Wyoming Valley Barbershop Harmony Chorus.

John was a handy-man and jack-of-all-trades who owned just about every tool or piece of equipment to build, install and/or fix just about anything. He was always willing to use his skills and knowledge to help his family and friends and especially to teach what he knew. He had a curious mind, embraced new technology and never stopped learning or asking questions.

John had many varied interests throughout his life. He loved to sing with the Barbershoppers, watch YouTube tutorials, do woodworking, play golf, dance to Big Band Music, do crossword puzzles, make homemade ravioli and cappelletti for his family and watch the New York Yankees (win or lose). He loved to sketch and color with his great-grandchildren and watch them and his grandchildren play sports. He was an avid storyteller with a quick wit and a great sense of humor.

Most of all, John loved his family unconditionally and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He adored his great-grandchildren and proudly showed their pictures and spoke of their accomplishments and antics to all he met.

John was preceded in death by his brother, Elmo Benzi; sister, Thelma Baluta; and infant sisters, Marie and Thelma.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Margaret Chernosky Benzi; daughter, Janet Kashuda and her husband, Gerard, Plains Twp.; daughter, Donna Tasselmyer and her husband, David, West Pittston; and his brother, Leonard Benzi, Plains Twp.. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Janelle Kashuda and her partner, Jack Rothenbecker, Laflin; Krista Evanofski and her husband, Charlie, Kingston; Lauren Salvatore and her husband, Brandon, Pittston; Gerry Kashuda Jr. and his wife, Alyssa, Wyoming; and great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Taylor, Chase, Kyla, Camryn and Anthony; and many nieces and nephews.

John's family gratefully acknowledges Dr. Mark Schiowitz and the nurses in the Surgical ICU at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for the exceptional and compassionate care that they provided to John. The family would also like to thank Dr. John Citti, Kingston, for providing John many years of personal and attentive care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Ss. Peter & Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains Twp., with the Rev. John C. Lambert, pastor, officiating. Family and friends may call from 9 until 10 a.m. Friday in the church. Those attending the visitation and/or funeral mass, we ask that you be brief when paying your respects, please follow the practice of social distancing and masks are required at all times at church. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Corcoran Funeral Home Inc., 20 S. Main St., Plains Twp.

Memorial donations can be made to the Plains Rotary Club, C/O Ben Berrini, 9 Birch Ave., Plains Twp., PA 18705, in John's memory.

For information or to leave John's family a message of condolence, please visit www.corcoranfuneralhome.com.