Obituary of Norman J. Benjamin

Norman J. Benjamin, 71, of McKay Rd., passed away late Tuesday evening at St. Mary?s Hospital with his family at his side. Born in Amsterdam on April 18, 1935, the son of the late Norman S. and Beatrice Lauriello Benjamin, he was a graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School and the State University Of New York College Of Technology. Norm was honorably discharged from the US Army, after serving our country in the Korean War. He was employed as a tradesman in the construction industry in his earlier years, and later retired after an illustrious career from the New York State Division For Youth, at the Tryon Residential Center, where he was employed as a Vocational Ed. Supervisor. He was instrumental in the development of significant programs for that agency, which provided the courage and strength for many of the youth to try new ways and achieve success. Very active in the local community, Norm was a communicant of St. Stanislaus? Roman Catholic Church, and a member of it?s Holy Name Society, and the Futures Committee of the parish. He was a past member and president of the Perth Central School Board Of Education and had coached baseball and other various sports through the Perth Youth Commission. He was also a member of the B.M.P.I.U. Local # 61 of Amsterdam where he served as President and Business Agent for that Union. An avid golfer and sportsman, Norman enjoyed gardening and maintaining his beautiful property. He enjoyed quality time and many vacations with his children and grandchildren. Married for forty eight years to the former Marcia Rygelski; he is also survived by his children; Brian Benjamin of Enfield, Conn., Tracey Rossi and her husband Michael of Barre, Vt., and Denise Leary and her husband Michael of Upton, Mass.; grandchildren; Kyle and Christopher Rossi; James Benjamin and Cameron Leary; and the late Danielle Benjamin; a sister, Dolores and her husband Theodore Dziedzic of Tribes Hill; nieces, Doreen and Barbara as well as grandnieces and nephews and cousins. Services are Saturday at 8:30 am at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, followed by a Funeral Mass to be offered at 9:30 am at St. Stanislaus? Church. Fr. David Mickiewicz, celebrant. Interment with military honors will take place in St. Stanislaus? Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday from 4-8 pm at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus? Church Special Fund, or to GAVAC, both in care of the funeral home.