Francis Michael Benek

Francis Michael Benek, 92, passed to our Lord on June 1, 2022. He was born in Lansford, Pa on July 3, 1929 to John and Elizabeth Benek. Francis, his three sisters and six brothers were all first-generation Americans who shared their parent's strong Slovak heritage. Frank, as many later knew him, moved to the Binghamton area in 1948 to work in various factories and building trades. After Army service in Okinawa and Korea from 1955 through 1956, Frank returned to Binghamton and to Ann Marie Spak, whom he married August 24, 1957. He built their family home, and those of Ann's two brothers, on her family's land in Maine, NY where they raised their family of four daughters starting in 1959. Frank later became a self-employed contractor and built many residences in the Binghamton area until his retirement in 1992. Frank enjoyed fishing, bowling, roller skating and his family, including his eight grandchildren. Frank was a 65-year communicant of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Maine, NY and a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus.

Frank is survived by his wife Ann of 64 years, his four daughters Carol Benek, Marlene Benek-Goham, Marianne Benek-Edwards and Susan Benek-Bachman and eight grandchildren Connor, Christine, Erica, Kelcie, Michelle, Nicole, Jennifer and Peter. A Funeral Mass will be offered Friday, June 17, 2022, at Most Holy Rosary Church in Maine, NY at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City following mass. The family will receive friends Friday, June 17, 2022, at the church from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.