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Heath Benedict Obituary
Jacksonville police said no foul play is suspected in the death of the 24-year-old Benedict, a 6-foot-6, 326-pounder who finished up his senior season in the fall and left school to train for next month's NFL Draft. He was nine hours short of a business degree.
Benedict took part in the Senior Bowl in January, the first Division II player to do so since 2004, and was invited to last month's NFL combine.
"He was a big, tough man, but he had a very gentle heart," Newberry president Mick Zais said. "He was a teddy bear."
Benedict, who redshirted at Tennessee in 2002 before moving to Newberry, was a native of the Netherlands. He played high school football at the Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J.
Jacksonville police spokesman Ken Jefferson said Benedict's body was taken to the medical examiner's office to determine the cause of his death. He was found dead Wednesday evening.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
Memories and Condolences
for Heath Benedict
34 Entries
CJ LaBoy
March 28, 2011
Big country Heath! We miss brother. Not a day goes by that I don't think about the impact you had not only on my life, but on the lives of everyone you've ever met. I will be forever grateful to have been your friend and I know you will continue looking down on me with that big smile, enormous life, and larger than life heart. Love & miss you brother.
August Jonas
March 26, 2011
Hey Heath I know you have been watching over all of us. It was great getting to know you, and how good you were to me. We all miss you
Wes Baldwin
March 26, 2011
Heath will be incredibly missed. i only knew him a short time, but he made a huge impact and influence on my life. RIP
CouRTNeY BaRR
January 22, 2009
I cant believe my bestfriends 2nd cousin died. She misses him soooooooooo much and he sounded really nice. I wish I got to meet him.
Carly mcafoose
January 22, 2009
I loved heath a lot. I am his cousin. he was the nicest person on this earth. he cared about every thing. i loved him a lot. i am so sorry for his mom and dad. and his whole family. heath was sooooooooooooooooooo awsome.
The Riser's
December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas Heath!!!!
Holly, Ed and Brent we love and think about all of you often.
Nicole Barba-Chandler
August 13, 2008
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Benedict and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this difficult time. Heath was full of life and lived a great life while he was with us. It was wonderful knowing him and knowing he brought happiness and love to my sister Natalie. God Bless!
Mike & Rosemarie O'Donnell
June 20, 2008
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Benedict and family.
We are very sorry to learn of the loss of your son Heath.
Our son Keith, played football with Heath at The Peddie School. Keith also passed away this year from injuries suffered from an accident while at Cornell. Our prayers are with you as you cope with this tragic loss.
Angela McGee
June 2, 2008
Dear Ed & Holly, It is with deep sympathy for your loss and great honor to have known Heath but for a moment. I was the Flight Attendant on Heath's flight from Houston to Los Angeles. We laughed and talked like old friends, he had such a wonderful personality, very respectful and polite. My heart goes out to you and your family. Heath will forever be in the hearts of people he met because he left a little of himself with people he came in contact with, I know he did with me. Forever in my prayers. May God bless you and keep you today and forever more.
Always, Angela
936-699-2327,Holly pls call, I would love to share a story with you. Take care and know that you are not alone.
cHRISTY- rEINWALD
April 8, 2008
i'M VERY SORRY ABOUT HEATH'S DEATH oNE OF MY BEST FRIENDS, cARLY mCaFOOSE IS HEATH'S 2ND COUSIN AND THEY WERE VERY CLOSE. hER WHOLE FAMILY IS SAD AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY SORRY. cARLY i LOVE YOU LIKE A SIS
Sergio Lozoya
April 7, 2008
To the Family of Heath: We are very sorry for the loss of such a great player, such a great guy. I saw him play a couple of times and was really impressed. I am sure he is now in God's hands and looking after all his family members and teammates. GOD Bless all the Benedict family.
April 3, 2008
April 3, 2008
April 3, 2008
Heath, WE MISS YOU SO MUCH!! Jacob & Rachel
April 3, 2008
Dale, Kim & Harrison McLarty
April 2, 2008
We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Shannon Lyon
March 31, 2008
We will miss you Heath.
Newberry College Athletics
March 31, 2008
Dear Ed, Holly, and Bret
On behalf of Newberry College athletics we are so very sorry for your loss and devastated by this tragic event. We will forever remember Heath and the impact he made on us all. He was truly a compassionate person and will be greatly missed. If there is anything we can do for you please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Matt DeWitt, Associate A.D.
Ali, Gerald, Trey McAlister
March 31, 2008
To the family of Heath Benedict,
We met Heath through our very good friend and our "second son" Trey Wells at Newberry, we watched him play many games. He will be greatly missed and was such a gentle giant to all of us that had the privledge of knowing him. Heath will remain in hearts as the "gentle,big-hearted,loving young man with great passion for the game". You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Rick and Jeanne Driscoll
March 30, 2008
Sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill Dingledine
March 30, 2008
Dear Ed, Holly, and Brent –
When one’s focus is on helping students realize their potential, it is so hard to accept that Heath’s will never be fully attained. He is one of my more memorable students, not only for his great athletic potential but for his insights, intelligence, and sensitivity. I know you are proud of him and that he was, and still is, a source of encouragement for others. I would keep up with his progress over the seasons through various friends and resources from Peddie, but I lost track of him, and you, after UT. It was a delight to see his recognition at the end of this past season and I was hopeful for his future. His high grading by the NFL is a great indication of not only the athletic components but the other qualities that lead to true success, and those come from family and background. My sincere sympathies are with you.
Chris Pittman
March 30, 2008
My thoughts are with you. Heath was a great young man with a great work ethic and an even greater heart. The short time I worked with him as a trainer was very much a pleasure.
CINDI CASPAR(STUNJA)
March 29, 2008
SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT HEATH.I NEVER GOT TO MEET HIM BUT HEARD ONLY GOOD THINGS ABOUT HIM. OUR THOUHGTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ED , HOLLY AND BRENT
Brenda Satterfield
March 28, 2008
ED, Holly and Brent,
Heath was full of life and lived a great one. You should be proud of what a fine young man he had become. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during these difficult days. Love Keith, Brenda, Travis and Olivia
Angie Smith
March 28, 2008
Holly, Ed, and Brent-we are all so sorry for your loss. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love Billy, Angie, Hunter, and Kyle Smith.
Debbie and George Burbules
March 28, 2008
Holly, Ed, and Brent,
Words cannot express our sadness and sympathy for you at this time of loss. George has been following Heath's career and saw the news about his death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this terrible time. May God comfort you - Debbie and George
nora rashada
March 28, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Betsy Roper
March 28, 2008
Holly, Ed, and Brent, Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers. We love you. Steve, Betsy, Brittany, and Jeffrey
NICOLE
March 28, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. The loss you feel no one can reaalt understand, but maybe you can find comfort in the hope that one day "death will be no more" as Almighty God promises Rev.21;3&4
Tina mack
March 27, 2008
I am so sorry for your loss. My husband Johnny played football with Heath at Newberry. Though I've never met Heaths parents I feel like I've known you forever. Heath talked about you guys all the time. Heath was a great guy and a leader. He had such a big heart. I talked with Heath at the Wingate game last season. We laughed as we discussed him playing both sides of the feild. Heath was talking about his ankle injuries but with such a great attitude. I rember him asking for a hug with a big smile on his face. Heath is a winner and will always have a place in my heart. I will be praying for the family.
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