Peter J. Benton

Brattleboro- Peter J. Benton, 86, formerly of Park Laughton Road in East Dummerston, died peacefully late Wednesday night, July 27, 2011 at the Thompson House Nursing Home following a period of declining health. He had been a resident at the facility for the past three years. Mr. Benton was born in Boston, Mass on July 4, 1925 the son of Jay R. and Frances (Hill) Benton. He was raised and educated in Belmont, Mass and was a graduate of the Bucking Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge, MA, Class of 1944. He proudly served his country during World War II in the U.S. Marine Corps stationed in the Pacific Theater of Operation on board the USS Rendova. On June 22, 1946 he was honorably discharged from active service at the rank of Sergeant. Mr. Benton was a member of the Marine Corps League, Brattleboro Detachment #798. Following his military service he went on to attend Boston University graduating in 1950 with a B.A. in Business. Mr. Benton went to work for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company in Boston and eventually was promoted to head of public relations for the company working in the mid-west region out of the company's Chicago office. In 1973, with his family he relocated to Brattleboro and became employed at First Vermont Bank as a Vice President and head of marketing for the bank. He later was employed for Sawyer Enterprises in Boston retiring in 1992. For several years he was an adjunct professor at Keene State College teaching management courses. He was known as a "hands on type of man." Mr. Benton served on the board of Vermont Public Radio and was a board member at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. While residing in the mid-west was an active member of the Chicago Athletic Club. He enjoyed golf and held membership at the Hooper Country Club in Walpole, NH. At the time his children were being raised he was very active in their sports activities and had coached Little League baseball while in Illinois. Mr. Benton traveled extensively with his family touring abroad in Europe as well as the Northwest and Southwest regions of the U.S. With his son Jeff, he climbed to the summit of Mount Rainier. With his wife Mr. Benton was a longtime communicant of Saint Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro. On September 11, 1948 in Brattleboro he was married to Marilyn M. Moore who survives. Besides his faithful and loving wife of almost 63 years he leaves, three sons, Jeffrey Benton of Chicago, Douglas Benton of Pacifica, CA and Andrew Benton of Grantham, NH, one daughter, Sarah Benton of Brattleboro, one granddaughter Jacqueline Benton of CA and one nephew and many nieces. He was predeceased by three brothers, David Benton, Nicholas Benton and John Benton, and a sister Mary Jameson. A Mass of the Eucharist will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. at Saint Michael's Episcopal Church with Rev. Jean Smith officiating; Burial with full military honors will follow in the family lot in Dummerston Center Cemetery. Following the committal services a reception will be held back at the church in the undercroft. Memorial contributions in Mr. Benton's name may be made to, Saint Michael's Episcopal Church, 16 Bradley Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to, The Thompson House Activities Fund, 80 Maple Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301.