John J. Benson

John J. Benson, 86
John Benson died on Friday, December 12, 2025. He is survived by his dear wife of 60 years, Philomena; their five children, Con, Annie, John, Tom, and James; three nephews and two nieces; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister and brother, Nora earlier in 2025, and Cornelius in 2010; also by a grandchild, Lila Kate, taken far too early in 1999.
John was a lifelong New Yorker, born to immigrants from the west of Ireland. He married Philomena in 1965, after she emigrated to New York from Northern Ireland. By 1970 he and Philomena had four children age four or under, and their large family became a defining focus and feature of the rest of their lives together.
An unfailingly intellectually curious man, John took the historical view of everything. He was well-read and well-spoken and was precise of thought and speech. Although reserved and extremely private, he had a great sense of humor, especially for physical comedy, which would frequently make him laugh until the tears streamed down his face. He loved to discuss politics and even religion; his self-abnegating conversational style meant he could invariably do so without conflict. He was above all a morally upright and deeply principled man, quietly compassionate of, and charitable toward, those in need. While his brother was alive, they held weekly calls in which they raged in low tones about the unfairness to the common man of the American economic and political system.
John lived an enviably healthy life into his early 80s, drawing great pleasure during a long retirement from news about, and visits from, his children and their spouses, and his grandchildren. In the last four years, progressive heart failure began to negatively impact his health and comfort, at first slowly and eventually severely. Through the good years and the bad, he kept his own counsel, and he remained stoic as infirmity encroached. Even in what turned out to be his final days he referred to his suffering as the price of living.
Journey well, dear husband and father. Requiescat in pace.
LODGINGS:
These are two hotels that are a short taxi ride from the funeral home and the church.
1. Aloft Long Island City
27–45 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
718- 433–9305
2. Hyatt Place Long Island City
27–03 43rd Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
929–208–3100
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the charity below.
https://www.crs.org/donate/help-around-world-2