Bennett C. Twombly Sr.

ESCONDIDO, Calif. — Retired Lt. Bennett Clayton Twombly Sr., formerly of Franklin, Pa., most recently of Escondido, Calif., died Friday, July 10, 2009, after a short battle with lung cancer and a long struggle with emphysema.

Ben was born July 30, 1936, in Dover, N.H., to Clayton B. Twombly and the former Doris Edgerly. He spent most of his youth in York Beach, Maine, graduating from York High School in 1954 as vice president of his class. He also spoke often of the joy of playing quarterback on the six-man high school football team.

He married Jo Ann Knooihuizen on Sept. 26, 1964 (which when asked, he listed as his best accomplishment), and she survives. He is also survived by three children, John Twombly and his wife, Janet, of Escondido, Bennett C. Twombly Jr. and his wife, Melissa, of Mt. Sterling, Ky., and Robin Twombly and his wife, Karen, of Waterboro, Maine.

WE REMEMBER: He joined the U.S. Navy Submarine Service on Sept. 23, 1953, and served on the USS Spikefish (SS404), the USS Benjamin Franklin (SSBN 640 G) and the USS Fulton (AS 11). He retired after 24 years of proud service in March 1977 at the rank of Lieutenant.

Ben was employed by Matric Limited in Seneca, Pa., for 18 years, retiring as a quality manager. After retiring he returned to Matric three times. He always loved working for such a wonderful company and its great people. Health issues forced him to stop working much sooner than he wanted.

Ben loved fishing and hunting as well as debating the issues of the day. He was a great patriot who loved God, his country and his family, always in proper order.

He is further survived by seven grandchildren (who he loved dearly), Rebecca, Alyssa, Briana, William, Tyler, Christian and Rachel; two brothers and three sisters, Richard Twombly and his wife, Pat, of York Beach, Frank Twombly and his wife, Karen, of Sun City, Fla., Denise Holzinger and her husband, Jim, of Sun City, Fla., Natalie Nicewicz and her husband, Tony, of Upper Marlboro, Md., and Liz Randall and her husband, Bob, of Kittery Point, Maine; and two cousins, Ruth Susan Twombly and Donna Amsden of York Beach.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton B. Twombly and Doris Twombly, and a daughter, Elizabeth Irene.

SERVICES: A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at York Street Baptist Church, York, Maine. Ben's favorite Bible passage was Psalm 117. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ben's name to Sharp Hospice San Diego, the Franklin Public Library, or the charity of your choice.