Richard O. BENSH

BENSH, Richard O. Richard O. Bensh, 90, of Gaylordsville, CT and formerly of Avon CT, passed away on Sunday, (May 8, 2011), at New Milford Hospital. He was the husband of Rosemary Drankwalter Bensh. Mr. Bensh was born in Jamaica, New York, December 15, 1920, son of the late Otis and Anna Elizabeth Sanc Bensh. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army. He was president of Long Island based Military Components Parts Corp from 1973 to 1987 while living in Oyster Bay New York, and a former first selectman for the Town of Weybridge, Vermont. Mr. Bensh was a member and officer of various Lions Clubs, active member of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Middlebury Vermont and Avon, CT and benefactor to the Armored Tank & Ordnance War Museum. In addition to his wife of 69 years, he is survived by a son Richard George Bensh of Florida; two daughters, Linda Ann Koupal of Farmington, CT and Georganne Elizabeth Bensh of New York, New York; a sister, Edythe Brennan of Staten Island, New York; nine grandchildren, Lisa Barbarello, Robert Bensh, Christine Shea, Kathleen Kobylak, Shawn Kolodny, Shawn Koupal, Andrew Kolodny, Ryan Koupal, Brandon Koupal; and twelve great-grandchildren. Burial, with full military honors, will take place in the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery. Middletown, CT on May 16th preceded by services at St Ann Church in Avon at 10 a.m. Arrangements by the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford, CT. Contributions in his memory may be made to New Milford Hospital, Global Animal Foundation, or St. Jude's Hospital.