David Drew Benoit

On January 2, David Drew Benoit, who preferred to be called Benny, died the way he wished to, in his home and without dependence on machines, after a courageous battle with ALS. Benny was born in Springfield to the late David W. and Violet (Kissel) Benoit and was a 1978 graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School. He earned an associate's degree in automotive technology from Springfield Technical Community College and most recently worked for the Ludlow Department of Public Works (DPW), which honored his memory by painting his name and a blue ALS ribbon on each of the trucks he drove and meticulously maintained. Benny had an infectious smile and was always the life of the party. He loved nothing more than riding his custom-designed Harley on a sunny day with friends, ending up in a place where everybody knew or would come to know his name. He played youth and adult hockey fiercely and was a die-hard Bruins fan, watching every game to the end. He was a hard worker and dedicated himself to his craft, whether he was fixing cars, landscaping, or enhancing his bike. He listened to the blues and rock and roll, the heavier the better, and loved his cat, Ozzy (yes, Osbourne), who provided warmth, entertainment, and easy companionship at a critical time. He enjoyed the sun and the water, and his happy place was Key West, where the air was warm, the tequila shots may have contained a scorpion, and there were no bad days. In addition to his parents, Benny was predeceased by his sister Jeanne, brother Glenn, and his good friend Gary Quinn. He is remembered by his son, Dustin, and Dustin's mother, Sandi; his three siblings, Suzanne, Scott, and Robin; and his nieces and nephews, for whom he was a favorite uncle. Benny was also loved by many in this area, as evidenced by the 300+ people who attended a party organized by his friends from the DPW in December. Those who knew him best described him as a great guy with a beautiful smile who was always ready for a good time, a detail-oriented perfectionist, someone who worked hard, played hard, rode hard, and was a friend to the end. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Benny's Mass General ALS team (Suma Babu and Jennifer Scalia), local doctors (Muhtadi Islam) and therapists (Erica Bell), the extended care teams from Amedisys Hospice and Overlook VNA, Michael Hodgkins of Compassionate Care ALS, Thomas Graef of the ALS Association and the Wilbraham Funeral Home for their skilled and compassionate care for Benny and his family through the harrowing experience of his illness. Last, but in no way least, the following people deserve more thanks and recognition than can ever be fully expressed: Bridget Perrella, you have provided unwavering support to our family for 20 years. Our mother named you Pitbull for your relentless pursuit of what was needed at any time, for any reason. You kept our home well stocked with treats and always thought about what might make Benny more comfortable. You were his wing-woman at his party and vigilantly watched for the signal that he'd had enough. You were with him from beginning to end, from the first devastating word announcing his diagnosis to his final preparation for cremation. You give from your heart unconditionally and are always the one to make us laugh through the hard times. You are my sister-neighbor-friend, and for you, I am eternally grateful. Jim Burns (aka Burnsy), you were a true friend of Benny's to the very end. You were his ride to countless appointments in Boston and offered comforting support after a long day of unfortunate news. You arranged for the construction of things in the home that would make Benny's life "easier" as his life grew progressively more challenging. You were Benny's breakfast buddy until he could no longer eat, and his texting buddy during Bruins' games when it was almost impossible for him to speak. You had a solution to any problem, and you showed up like the breath of fresh air that we always needed. Just so you know, I'm adopting you as another brother, and for you, I am eternally grateful. And finally, to Domingos, Rich, John, Steve, Jamie, Kenny, Anthony, Carrie, Debbie, Paul, and everyone else from Ludlow DPW who treated Benny like family and supported him 100% in his time of need: THANK YOU! You are the people who showed up to help with lawn, home, truck, motorcycle, and paperwork maintenance. You were not afraid to look Benny in the eye, pat him on the back, and try to make him laugh with a story from work. And surely the greatest gift you gave Benny was that party in the final weeks of his life, during which he basked in the love of 300 of his lifelong friends and was able to give back that smile we all know and love. This was an unforgettable memory made possible by you all, for whom I am eternally grateful. Services for Benny will be upcoming and private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Compassionate Care ALS at ccals.org or the ALS Association at als.org. These organizations generously provide equipment, education, and support to people with ALS and their families.