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Lee Benish Obituary
Lee was a man of many passions, including golf, travel, theatre, and fine dining. Known for his generosity and kindness, Lee had a unique ability to make friends wherever he went. His love for life and people was evident in every interaction he had.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Kathryn Benish, and his two daughters, Margaret Benish and Jennifer (Benish) Braatz. Lee also leaves behind his sons-in-law, Daniel Reece and Andrew Braatz, and his cherished grandchildren, Aaron Braatz, Beau Braatz, and Eleanor Reece.
The family plans to hold a celebration of Lee's life at a later date, where friends and loved ones can gather to remember and honor him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lee's name to a charity of your choice. Lee's legacy of kindness and generosity will live on through these contributions, embodying the spirit with which he lived his life.
Lee Benish will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but his memory will forever remain in our hearts.
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Dale Epton
June 11, 2025
I wanted to let the family know how I appreciated Lees distinct character!
I was just thinking of all the times I awaited his entrance because I enjoyed our encounters at the Chicago Firehouse. I truly had a connection with Lee. I am so glad I got an opportunity to share in his life .
Mary Snyder
May 28, 2025
Lee was always a joy to work with.
My years at AMEC and beyond are filled with great memories of Lee.
May you feel the arms of God holding you during this hard time.
Mary Snyder
Janet Love
May 25, 2025
Dear Kathy, I was so sorry to learn of Lee's passing. He was a remarkable man. Full of energy, enthusiasm and a genuine interest in helping others. He was one of the first people I met when I joined AMEC in 2004 and it was in the Oakville office. He made of point of seeking out the 'new kid on the block' and making me feel so welcome. Because we both travelled to lots of AMEC offices, our paths would often cross. Time was always made for a friendly chat and catch up with Lee. Favorite memories are golfing in Perth and Lee showing me around Chicago. You leave a strong legacy Lee. RIP. Sincerest condolences, Janet Love
Jeannine Martin
May 24, 2025
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Laur and Mike Szkatulski
May 24, 2025
We will miss Lee, who was always the life of the party at the "Bike friends" annual Christmas dinner. He was well loved by all.
Barbara Benish Knighton
May 24, 2025
My wonderful brother was always so positive and upbeat. He lived life the way we all should, with enthusiasm & joy. He always made time for family and was very supportive. I cherish our last time together when he came to visit us in Georgia. It holds a special place in my memories of Lee. Sending love to Kathy, Jen, Margo & their families.
Robin Coffey
May 22, 2025
I´m sorry to hear about Lee´s passing. He worked with my husband in the 1990s and we had a good conversation when he attended my husband´s memorial in late 2023.
Nigel Jenkins
May 21, 2025
Such sad news. I first meet Lee at an AMEC conference in Florida over 20 years ago. He was a force of nature and great fun in the bar and on the golf course. He was dedicated to his work, his customers and of course his family. Condolences to Lees family and friends.
Mary & Philip Juetten
May 21, 2025
Philip and I met Lee over 20 years at AMEC but stayed in touch over the years. Always quick to help and quicker to be supportive, whether a call, a visit, or introduction. We often spoke of Lee as a model on how to live life large. Most importantly, he was legendary for his love of his family. We will miss Lee immensely but will carry his lessons and try to emulate his attitude. Our sincere condolences to Kathy and the family.
Mary & Philip Juetten
Steve Ciccone
May 21, 2025
Our lasting memory of Lee is him taking our 13 year old (at the time) son to our backyard in Perth and having him project his voice across our yard to help him with his public speaking. And to this day our other son tells people that he is discerning not picky as Lee stated 15 years ago. That´s Lee in a nutshell: leaving a trail of positive impacts and good vibes with the people he met. He will be missed.
Our sincere condolences to all of Lee´s family.
Steve and Audrey Ciccone
Michael Jolliffe
May 20, 2025
Lee was a friend and colleague of many years. His energy was unrivalled and his insistence on excellence never in doubt. My wife Kelly and I had a wonderful visit with Lee in December and he was the same Lee I got to know over 20 years ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kathy and all of his family.
Sarah richman
May 20, 2025
Lee was one of the kindest men I´ve known and I will truly miss his friendship. The weekend I spent in Chicago having dinner with Lee´s family and getting to see our Jets vs his Bears is one I will remember forever.
Randy & Rossana Broderick
May 20, 2025
Randy and I were deeply saddened to hear about Lee. We have nothing but fond memories and were so taken back to hear this devastating news. He was truly one of the kindest souls we´ve ever known-someone who gave without expecting anything in return, who made others feel seen, heard, and valued. We will never forget our time in Chicago with him and Kathryn and their warm welcome and hospitality. Their warmth and compassion left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know them.
Kathryn and family, please know that our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the love he gave and the lives he touched. We will miss him.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Randy and Rossana Broderick
Stan Szemborski VADM USN (Ret.)
May 20, 2025
Thank you Lee for many years supporting the crew of USS Chicago.
Spencer Cole
May 20, 2025
Lee, Kathy and Spencer watching their beloved Bears play in October 2019. I will miss your friendship, insightful life advice and career mentorship Lee. Spencer Cole
Maxine M.
May 20, 2025
Gosh, it seems like only yesterday celebrating Lee´s birthday and viewing Mission Impossible. Rest in peace my friend.
Jim Schubert
May 20, 2025
I offer my sincere condolences to Kathyrn and the rest of Lee's family on the loss of a truly wonderful man. He was always so upbeat and seemed to have a smile ready for whomever he encountered. I met Lee through business about 40 years ago and we became friends through our work. I am so grateful for the time we spent together. Rest in peace, my friend!
Gary Wojciechowski
May 20, 2025
I only got to know Lee when joining him and two other members of the 721Club (Jeffrey Sacks and Chris Harnick) when we met the USS Chicago (SSN-721) at Pearl Harbor after her last patrol. I was part of the Commissioning crew of the Chicago, and all of the crewmembers - from my time to the Decommissioning crew - were beneficiaries of the 721Club. He was a most inspirational, kind and generous person.
He will be sorely missed.
Christopher Harnack
May 20, 2025
Please accept my condolences on Lee´s passing. Thankful to have known him and appreciated all the hard work he did supporting the USS Chicago, her officers, crew and families through the 721 Club.
Christopher Harnack
Past President, 721 Club
Daniel McJacobson
May 20, 2025
My deepest condolences to Lee's family. I did several projects with him on behalf of his condominium. I was always happy to talk with him and had tremendous respect for how he conducted himself. He had a lot to teach us all. I count myself luck to have known him, even if to a limited extent.
Andrew Cunningham
May 19, 2025
I´m deeply saddened to hear of Lee´s passing. I had the privilege of working with him over the past eight years on the Hermosa Project in Southern Arizona, both with Arizona Mining and South32. Lee was a kind, generous soul-someone whose presence you always looked forward to, whether in the office or out on site.
One memory I hold especially close is a Saturday brunch where I was invited by senior leadership, and was thrilled to find that Lee would be joining us. We spent hours in thoughtful conversation-talking about the project, life, family, and everything in between.
Lee left a lasting impression on so many of us, and I feel grateful to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. I´ll miss you, my good friend.
Bernie Loyer
May 19, 2025
I had the pleasure of working with Lee on several projects in Argentina and Mexico. Great talent and a great coach, I learned a lot from Lee. He was certainly a respected colleague but more importantly than that -- a true friend. My condolences to family and friends. He will be missed.
Shirley Clark
May 19, 2025
Lee Benish and I were friends and classmates at Griffis AFB in Rome, NY. He was so adored by my parents, he went with us camping at the 1000 Islands Cabins on the St. Lawrence River. We went swimming and fishing. One time, we were across the river, when a storm came up. My parents and brothers were in one open fishing boat, Lee and I were in another. My Dad said make it back to camp. Choppy weather, waves crashing into the boat. We made it back. That's when Lee told my Dad that was the first time he had ever driven a boat anywhere. He learned quickly because everyone was OK. Saw him again in 2005, after 43 years. He and Kathy took me to dinner in little Italy. It was like no time had passed. Such a wonderful friend. My condolenses to Kathy and his daughters. He was a good man.
Tim Blackwell
May 19, 2025
I had the privilege to work with Lee for many years . He was a gentleman at all times and had a tremendous energy level that made him a great leader. He will be greatly missed by many people in his profession as well as his family. I feel privileged to have counted Lee a friend. My prayers are with his family.
Teresa McFadden
May 19, 2025
Lee was such a caring and lively person, always sending birthday messages to Kennedy, Hudson, Lainey and I and inviting them to things. I remember Lee and Kathy throwing a baby shower for Greg and I and it being SO incredibly thoughtful. Margot and Jen, I am sorry for the loss of your dad, he was pretty great. I am thinking of you both at this difficult time.
Jim and Gerri Aubin
May 19, 2025
Lee was such a wonderful and caring man. My husband and I enjoyed his company immensely. We also were so lucky to live in a building where such an energetic and intelligent man ran our condo board so many years! Everyone who knew Lee was truly blessed. We will miss him and his bright personality terribly.
Richard Rippon-Swaine
May 19, 2025
My condolences to Lee´s family. I met Lee when we were with Amec back in the early 2000´s. I was fortunate enough to spend time in his company whilst we were on the road travelling around the business. I remember him with great fondness.
Vania Gameiro
May 19, 2025
To My Dear Friend,
It's hard to find the words to say goodbye. You were more than a friend - you were an inspiration. At 80 years old, your brilliance never faded. You carried your wisdom with grace, your kindness with strength, and your professionalism with quiet dignity.
I will forever admire your mind, your heart, and the way you always made time for others. You lived a full life, and yet it still feels too soon.
Thank you for the laughter, the advice, and the example you set. You´ll always be with me - in memory, in gratitude, and in the way I try to walk through the world a little more like you did.
Rest in peace, my friend.
With love,
Vânia
Andrew, Lisa, Andrew Jr, Nicholas Bell
May 19, 2025
My Uncle Lee was always a larger than life personality. His passion for all life had to offer was second to no one. He especially loved to share those passions with his family and friends. He will be missed but the memories we have will be cherished forever. Our condolences and love to Kathy, Margo, Jennifer, their beautiful children, and the rest of the family.
Vania
May 19, 2025
Craig
May 19, 2025
My condolences to Lees family. I had the pleasure of Meeting Lee in 2018 at the Hermosa project in Southern Arizona. My first meeting with Lee was inspiring, just a true gentleman that took the time to understand all and encourage all to be part of the team. Just an absolute lovely person. I'll miss our conversations.
Judy Benish Bell
May 19, 2025
He was such a great brother, family was very important to him. He always loved when we could get together. Our memories of Orange Lake will always be with us. I´ll miss his weekly chats we had thru FaceTime. Love you dear brother. Love Judy
Katrina Maheu
May 19, 2025
Kathryn and family, so sorry for your loss. Lee was one of a kind and I am grateful to have known him as a colleague and friend. I will fondly remember dinner with Lee and Kathryn at your beautiful condo in Chicago and the private tour of Lee´s wine collection. We also had some fun times in the UK and in New York! Rest in peace my friend.
John Kageorge
May 19, 2025
What an amazing person. I loved Lee´s insistence on quality customer service. And nobody has been a better story teller. I continue to be grateful for the time he addressed the Vancouver Board of Trade and Canadian Public Relations Society to share the communications lessons learned at Ground Zero following the 911 terrorist attacks. My heart is sorry for all those hurt by this loss, especially Lee´s family and close friends.
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