Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Anthony J. Benkovic
Anthony J. Benkovic
Obituary
Guest Book
Anthony Benkovic Obituary
60, of Palm Harbor, FL, formerly of Swissvale, PA, died April 11, 2007. He graduated from Swissvale High School (1965) and Walsh College in North Canton, OH. He served in the U.S. Army, and attained his Master's degree and doctoral hours from Duquesne University. He taught at Scott High School. He moved to Florida in 1974, and was a life insurance agent for the Prudential for 28 years, an officer of the board of directors of Living His Life Abundantly and Women of Grace and President of Simon Peter Press, Inc. The son of the late Magdalene Perstac, Anthony was the nephew of the late Mary Ferlan, Katherine Spess, Helen Perstac, George and Barbara Bandola, Adam Perstac, Anna Knezevich, Peter Perstac, and Charles Perstac. The Perstac family helped open the Croatian Home in Rankin. Anthony played the bass with the Junior Tamburitzans, member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, Lodge # 6, Rankin, and brought his family to countless Croatian Day celebrations at Kennywood Park. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005. Survivors are his wife Johnnette and daughters, Thea Palm Harbor, FL and Jessica and husband Miguel Colón, Houston, TX granddaughters, Julia and Carmen He is the father of the late Simon Benkovic. Viewing and funeral services will be held in Safety Harbor, Florida. Go to www.anthonybenkovic.com for all details. If you have a special memory about Anthony, the Benkovic family would love to hear from you. Email your memory to [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, Anthony requested donations be made to Living His Life Abundantly:
www.lhla.org
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
14 Entries
Jane Elisabeth Reinhart
April 30, 2007
Dear Johnnette and family,
Your broadcast on EWTN with your husband Anthony, so full of love and dedication to God, sharing your pain and loss of your son and Anthony's health, left a testimony to what a Christian marriage truly is...and how to accept His will and prepare for Heaven. Father and son are with our Lord.
God bless you all and your faithful, truthful witness.
IHS, Elisabethjane
Janet Craig
April 26, 2007
To the Benkovic Family,
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family on behalf of CFU Lodge 6, Rankin, PA. I know that Tony had fond memories of the Rankin Croatian Club and the events that took place there. I know that anytime he would be in the Pittsburgh area he always made a point to stop by the club and provide his support in any way possible. He introduced me to his family and you could see the pride he held for each of them. It was a pleasure to meet all of you. My sincere condolences to the family.
Janet (Zidanic) Craig
CFU Lodge 6 President
Rosemary
April 24, 2007
Dear Mrs. Benkovic and family,
I did not have the privilege of knowing your husband but saw him on your television show. I am only an occasional viewer and found the two of you one evening when I was flipping through the channels. I was struck immediately by the contrast between your professionalism, poise and polish, Mrs. Benkovic, and your husband's very down to earth, plain spoken style. Then I was riveted by the content, with the two of you sharing your very personal story of the loss of your beautiful son and your husband's cancer. I could tell your faith was strong but there was no effort to sugar coat the pain and suffering of your two difficult years, nor did either of you retreat into denial about what might lie ahead for Anthony. There was just a lot of gutsy faith and trust in Our Lord on display that night and I was very proud of the example you two set as Catholic adults, facing loss and uncertainty with such incredible dignity and gratitude for all the blessings that you had experienced.
I am sorry that I did not learn of your husband's death until today (4/23) but I will pray for him and your family before I go to sleep tonight. I will keep you in my prayers in the days ahead and ask God to keep you steady and to shower you with little mercies as you grieve the loss of your sweetie.
May Anthony's and Simon's souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
And may God's peace and comfort be with you and your entire family.
Mark Cotter
April 19, 2007
Dear Johnette:
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. My wife died suddenly this past October. I send you my condolences. I met you at a conference for Providence House (now The Catholic Company) in Charlotte, NC. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
BILL MITCHELL
April 18, 2007
Dear Benkovic Family,
I knew Anthony in high school and believe he lived across the street from John Bell also a member of the class of '65 with whom I was friends. I remember Anthony as a very hard working guy who endured much good natured kidding while working many many nights at Tony's Pizza. I remember he smiled through it all and taught me an early lesson in work ethics. I remember talking to him at our first (20th) high school reunion and learning at that time that we both resided in Florida. God Bless you Anthony - you are in our prayers.
Sincerely
Bill Mitchell
Murfreesboro, Tn
Barbara Standley
April 16, 2007
Dear Benkovic Family,
May God grant you the strength to endure this great loss. May you find comfort in knowing that Anthony has no more suffering and that he is with the dear Lord.
Nancy and Ed Waszkiewicz
April 16, 2007
Johnette, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. I taught Spanish with Tony at Scott High and we shared many laughs. Unfortunately we lost contact after you moved to Florida. (except for one VERY long catch-up call many years ago!) Heaven will never be the same! You are in our prayers.
JIm Bradley
April 16, 2007
I met Anthony In Jr High as a transfer he made me feel welcome. always a smile, Iam sure that the world is a better place because of him. I know his loss will be immeasurable to the family but his memory will make you strong and even smile. God Bless you all
Jim Bradley
Anderson MO
Bob Ure
April 16, 2007
Anthony (I remember calling him Bennie) was truly a great guy, always friendly and cheerful. We walked from the hill over to Dixon or SHS together many times. I remember stopping on the way home at Rudy's as Rudy was opening his shop for the first time. Bennie and I split the first hoagie Rudy ever sold, at least the first one on Washington Street in Swissvale. I was truly saddened yesterday to read of his passing. My sincere condolences to his family.
Bob Ure SHS '64
Roseanne Stoker
April 16, 2007
I met Tony when I was about 7 years old in the Rankin Junior Tamburitzans. 44 years later, I still have wonderful memories of him being so witty and making everyone laugh. His two aunts were in the LGAR nursing home with my grandmother so I occasionally got to see him there or when he would come to Pittsburgh for Croatian Day. I vividly remember the time he brought his lovely wife, Johnette, and his kids to the Croatian Home in Rankin for Post-Croatian day because he wanted to expose them to our wonderful culture. It was such a pleasure to meet everyone. His love for life was always so obvious by the way he embraced everyone and everything around him. I will miss knowing that he won't be coming "home" to Pittsburgh again.
With much love to his family,
Roseanne (Patternac) Stoker
Kathy Keating
April 16, 2007
Johnette -
You have my deepest sympathy on the passing of Anthony. Bennie (what I called him) was a tremendous person. He had one of the best senses of humor I've ever seen and was quite the dancer! He was also one of the kindest men. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your girls and your Mom and Dad.
Amelia Guiliano-White
April 16, 2007
Anthony was one of the nicest and fun loving guys at Swissvale High school, and a friend to all. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends he left behind.
Donna Rowe (Downes)
April 15, 2007
My condolences to Anthony's family. He was a wonderful person and will always remain in the hearts of the Swissvale class of 65.
EDMOND GRANDIZIO
April 15, 2007
I knew Anthony since Jr High School and I must say he was a charactor but always enjoyable. He was a very good member of our high school class-Swissvale Class of 65. He gave the pre dinner prayers and inspiration speeches at the reunions. He was ALWAYS forward and polite when he talked to me and I'll never forget this. He and Johnette had to be strong believers of Jesus Christ to go through the tragic death of their son Simon who I had the pleasure of meeting when Tony was visiting Swissvale. Just like his parents--a great kid!!
All I can say for now is: Tony you have no suffering anymore and you will be going to a great place where Simon will be waiting for you. Rest in Peace Tony.
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in Anthony Benkovic's name
How to support Anthony's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Anthony Benkovic's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
