Daniel William Benedix

Dan William Benedix succumbed to his courageous battle with esophageal cancer on February 14, 2025. In classic "Dan" fashion, he rallied with stubbornness and strength, defying all the odds by living far past his diagnosed expectancy. He fought valiantly for 19 months against the cancer that developed from being born (and exposed to the water) at Camp Lejeune, NC. Dan was 50 years old and was born on September 23, 1974.
Dan often described himself as "just a guy" but to the multitudes of people and animals whose lives he touched, but he was nothing short of extraordinary, ensuring that his impact on this earth will help so many others for generations to come.
A 1992 graduate of Millbury High School in Millbury, MA, Dan was well known as a talented basketball player, playing on the Millbury Varsity Team and then on to Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester MA, where a severe back injury ended his basketball career.
With the of hope of playing for the Celtics dashed, Dan pursued a career in disaster recovery in the IT sector, eventually becoming the founder of Tego. After selling his company, Dan was able to pursue many of his other interests: realizing his dream of becoming a pilot, buying land in Cedar Grove NC for his dogs and planes, and continuing his passion as a serial entrepreneur. From working as a DJ and house painter in his youth to selling firewood from the trees he felled while building his runway, to airplane sales and repair, to selling and managing trips on private jets, Dan was always "all-in" and did his work with unsurpassed dedication and passion.
Being a pilot was a dream and a passion that he pursued relentlessly, and in doing so he inspired many other's to follow their dreams, whether they were in aviation or not. Dan serves as a reminder to go after what you want, and the time to do it is now.
Dan is probably best known for his humanitarian work. Whether it was actively supporting cancer research through both Race Across America and Kaitlynn's Ride to raise money for the Jimmy Fund of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, or spearheading efforts with Operation AirDrop and coordinating with World Kitchen to deliver life-saving meals, medicine, water, and more to the communities most affected by Hurricane Florence. Even as he was approaching the end of his life, after Hurricane Helene Dan was able to assemble small aircraft pilots and hundreds of volunteers to gather, organize and deliver items to Asheville and the surrounding areas that were most direly impacted and forgotten by many rescue efforts. He also often volunteered for Pilots and Paws, as well as Military Angel Flights, providing much needed transportation of veterans to receive medical treatment.
One of Dan's greatest joys was his family. He is survived by his wife, Jocelyn (Guschl) Benedix, their shared children Sebastian (20), Rue (17), and Stella (16) and their six rescue dogs (some of whom were flown home to NC for their rescue). Dan absolutely loved being a dad. He always went above and beyond to teach, love, provide for, and protect his family. Watching them, along with his youngest sister, Jillian Benedix (16), become young adults on the cusp of achieving their dreams meant everything to him. He never missed a first or last day, a single practice, performance or competition. Supporting and loving his family unconditionally and with his whole heart is what defined Dan, not just as a dad and husband, but as the amazing human he was.
Dan inspired and supported every single person he encountered in his life. He relentlessly looked for the good in everyone and was adamant that everyone follow their dreams. The hole that he has left in the hearts of his large extended family and rescue and aviation communities is colossal.
In addition to his immediate family, Dan is also survived by his mother and stepfather, Sherry and Ken Finne of Windsor ME, and his father and stepmother Mark and Kim Benedix and their daughter Jillian of Somers CT. He is lovingly remembered by sisters Pam Taylor of Shrewsbury MA, Laurie and husband Brian Desmarais of Worcester MA, brothers Ken and wife Laurie Finne of Wilmington MA, Justin and wife Beth Finne of Framingham MA, Adam and wife Mal Finne of Concord MA. Joy and Don Goulette and their daughters Katelyn, LeeAnna, and Krystyna of Westfield MA. Karin Benedix and her daughter Lucy of Hampden, MA. His beloved Aunt Dotty and husband Scott Tedeschi of Vernon, CT, and their children Shontel Sima and Josh Tedeschi, and Aunt Debra Fortin and her daughter Marissa Fortin of Vernon, CT.
Dan's final message to us all was to love and always take care of one another, period. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the BenedixFoundation BenedixFoundation.org so that his name and legacy of helping others can live on.
A Celebration of Life is currently being planned, and updates on the event will be posted at BenedixFoundation.org To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Daniel, please visit our floral store.