Obituary of Norman Edwin Benton
Norman Edwin Benton, 93, of Woodstock Valley, Connecticut died on Christmas Day (12/25/21).
A dutiful father and a kindly grandfather, he valued his family and enjoyed the many family gatherings over his lifetime. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Doris M. VanderWende Benton and their children Gary N. Benton (Eileen) of Tolland, CT, David A. Benton of Woodstock, CT, Thomas J. Benton (Laurie) of Oak Hill, VA, Nancy M. Bauer (James) of Sun Lakes, AZ, Sandra D. DeGennaro (Paul) of Ellendale, DE, as well as his grandchildren Shea Benton-Reger (Alex), Jenna Benton, Denise Benton, Kimberly Benton, Melissa Benton, Katherine Benton, Andrew Bauer, Justin Bauer, Robert Bauer, Stephen DeGennaro (Katie), Lauren DeGennaro, and Peter DeGennaro. He leaves behind his great grandsons Chase Reger, Caiden Reger, and Beau Aubin. He is survived by his sister Alma C. Everett and sister-in-law Daphne Benton, his brother George C. Benton and nephew Glenn Benton predeceased him. Lastly he leaves behind his nieces Judith Wilson (Robert), Cheryl Canicci (Raymond), Susan Gerardo (Paul) and nephew Kenneth Jacobs.
Norman was born on October 6th 1928 to Louis T. Benton and
Florence A. Whitlock Backus (John T. Backus) in New Haven, Connecticut and was raised in Clifton, New Jersey.
Norman proudly served our country in the United States Army as part of the post-World War II occupation of Germany (Jan, 1951- Jan, 1953) and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon return to civilian life he embarked on a 32- year career with New Jersey Bell Telephone Co. (Verizon Corp.).
Mr. Benton lived and raised his five children in the Newfoundland section of West Milford, New Jersey. While in New Jersey, Norman enjoyed many hobbies including photography, gardening, fishing, raising beef cattle and landscaping. He loved animals especially dogs. Active in his community, he served many years as a member of the Newfoundland Community Fire Co. No. 1.
Upon retirement in 1985, he returned to Connecticut and enjoyed his lakefront home on Lake Bunggee in Woodstock Valley, Connecticut. Almost always outdoors, Mr. Benton spent countless hours landscaping his property, building stone walls, boating on the lake and sharing his love of plants and agriculture with family and friends. In 2000/2001, he ran the engineering project to dredge the North Cove of the lake. He was an avid bird watcher and cultivated a carving hobby creating many wood figures and Christmas ornaments for family.
Mr. Benton had a good sense of humor, loved many kinds of music, and played the harmonica. He was known to be light on his feet and an excellent dancer. He was a long time Boston Red Sox and New England Patriot fan, as well as a devoted UConn Women’s Basketball follower.
A Celebration of Life to take place at a future date.
Donations can be made to the East Woodstock Congregational Church, P.O. Box 156 East Woodstock, CT 06244 and/or to the Bungay Fire Brigade, 1256 Route 171 Woodstock, CT 06281