John H. Bensinger

John Harrison Bensinger Age 74 - Stroudsburg, PA John Harrison Bensinger, a beloved brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 6th, 2025, in Stroudsburg, PA. He was 74 years old. He was the son of the late Alex "Buzz" Bensinger and Jean Harrison Bensinger. Born on May 17, 1950, John grew up as part of a pack of nine double cousins, a gang of neighbors and their assorted dogs. He roamed freely in the "Twin Hills" area of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, building forts and snow villages, playing wide-ranging games, getting launched off his bike in the Pine Grove, and usually outrunning the adoring younger kids. He attended Saint Matthew's Elementary School and Stroudsburg High School before completing his secondary education at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, N.H., in 1969. He played football, ran track and was on the ski team at KUA. He obtained his associate's degree from Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh and then earned his bachelor's degree in history from East Stroudsburg University in 1973. John was an accomplished athlete, but he was best known for his grace and style on the ski slopes. Everyone in the family agrees that John was the best skier in the family. He was on the first ski team at Camelback and greatly enjoyed skiing in Colorado with his cousin Robyn, and in Utah, and Vermont with various family members. John and his work friends went on camping trips to the Chesapeake area, from which no details were shared, and he loved going to Maine in the summer. A lifelong sports fan, John's passion for athletics extended beyond his own participation. He attended the games of any sport played by his nieces and nephews. He was a devoted supporter of Stroudsburg football, placing a $1.00 bet on each Turkey Day game with his dad who went to East Stroudsburg High School. He was also a fan of the Boston Celtics and the Oakland Raiders. However, his favorite team by far was the New York Yankees. He became a Yankee fan in utero thanks to his mother. Some of his fondest memories were attending Yankees games with his high school buddies, Al Kearn, Bruce Baustein, Boo Miller, and Bob Warner and going to Florida for Spring Training games with his sisters. John dedicated much of his career to Camelback Mountain, where he was one of the earliest employees. His father, Buzz Bensinger, and uncle, Chud Bensinger, were two of Camelback's four founders, and John became part of the resort's history as employee number 14. He was a ski instructor, ski patroller, snowmaker and worked in lift maintenance and lift operations. Over his 42 years there he would do the job they needed him to do. Dependable, hard-working, and friendly to everyone, he was respected and cherished by colleagues and visitors alike. On many Friday afternoons he and his work friends rehashed their week, laughed, and solved the world's problems at the Tannersville Inn. Above all, John found his greatest joy in time spent with his extended Bensinger family. Whether at a holiday gathering or a casual get-together, he was happiest when surrounded by loved ones. His warmth, good humor, and ever-present handsome smile will be deeply missed. John survived growing up with three talkative sisters by being quiet and private by necessity. As adults his sisters teased that he was Mom's favorite. That was probably true. His two surviving sisters, Peggy Bensinger of Portland, Maine, and Elizabeth Bensinger Weekes, and her husband Jeff of Stroudsburg, will miss him terribly. He was predeceased by his sister, Dianne Bensinger Hansen. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Phillip Hansen of Albany, New York, and his former wife, June Noone. He leaves behind his nephew, Christopher Hansen and his wife Karen of Centreville, Maryland, niece Amy Hansen Puccio and her husband Paul of Albany, nephew Alex Weekes and his wife Lauren McAndrews of San Francisco, and niece Emily Weekes Bonner and her husband Drew of Severna Park, Maryland. Always great with kids, John relished his role as a beloved uncle and great-uncle, and snowball fight instigator-in-chief, with Joshua Hansen, Samuel Hansen, Acey Puccio, Trey Puccio, Madison Bonner, Mac Harrison Weekes and Savannah Bonner. His extended family of cousins-Charlie Bensinger and his wife Kate Greenway, Susan Bensinger Damski and her husband Mel Damski, Robyn Bensinger, Mitzi Bensinger, Mary Jean Bensinger Shunk and her husband Corky and Becky Bensinger Bentley-along with their children, Ian Campbell, Sarah Ehret, Luke Ehret, Hannah Campbell- Anderson, Ashleigh Shunk, Lucy Shunk, and Charley Damski, will forever cherish the memories of his love, laughter, and presence at every gathering. The care he gave to his dad during the difficult last four years of Buzz's life exemplified John's character. John cared for Buzz with thoughtfulness, tenderness, and good humor, taking him to church, to medical appointments, out for dinner, for drives, and just spending time with him. This was a true measure of John as a person, and Buzz was tremendously grateful for this loving care. Visiting hours will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, March 21st at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg. A funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, March 22nd at 10:00AM at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Cherry Lane Road, Tannersville. A family Celebration of Life will be held later this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross.