Obituary of John Edward Benison

John Edward Benison passed away October 8, 2018 after a short illness. He leaves his wife of 62 years Agnes Sullivan Benison, his daughter Margaret E. Benison of Stamford and five sons; Martin Benison and Lauren Kolb Benison of Reading, MA, Edward and Lisa Greenwald Benison of Wilton, CT, Brian and Kathryn Lynch Benison of Springfield, VA, William Benison of Stamford, CT and Thomas Benison and Christina Ricarte of Greenwich, CT. He was predeceased by his eldest son John Francis Benison. He also leaves his brother Anthony Benison DMD and his wife Eleanor of Shrewsbury, MA. He was predeceased by his brother Francis Benison who left his wife Virginia Benison of Worcester. 
He was born November 17th, 1926 in Worcester MA. The eldest of three sons to Margaret Burke Benison and Frank Joseph Benison, both immigrants from Ireland. He graduated from St. John's High School in 1944.
His education continued at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. His studies were interrupted by his US Armyservice and he returned to graduate in 1950. He maintained a lifelong commitment to his Crusader roots and served on the Presidents Council and guided one brother and two children to follow him there. He was a World War IIveteran where he proudly served with the Army Forces Western Pacific. 
After graduation, he accepted a job with the SS Kresge (now Kmart) that began a life long career in retail. After being reassigned to the Stamford CT store in 1953, he met his loving wife of 63 years Agnes Sullivan Benison. He was transferred to Stamford in 1952 and has lived here since. He spent the majority of his career with the Napier Company, a manufacturer of costume jewelry and giftware. He rose to the position of Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He retired in 1993 and continued to serve on the Board of Directors until the company was sold in 1999.
He was Trustee of the Napier Foundation for 40 years through 2009. He served on the Cardinal's Committee of Laity in Archdiocese of New York and was a member of the Sales Executive Club of NY and the Chair of the Jewelry Industry Committee of the American Cancer Society. He was twice Chair of the Parish Advisory Council of St. Cecelia's of Stamford where he also served on the Finance Committee.
He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knight's of Columbus St. Augustine Council and its Lafayette Assembly. He volunteered at the Stamford Senior Center on its board and finance committee.
He golfed for many years as a member of Woodway Country Club.
His ten grandchildren were the joy his life, Brian and his wife Ji Jie, Jennifer, Kyle, Megan, Devin, Amy, Derek, Austin, Isabel and Owen. He leaves many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews on both Sullivan and Benison sides of the family. His two oldest nephews Frank Schlegel and Keith Schlegel spent many a day with his children as an extension of the immediate family. 

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 10. 2018 from 4-8 p.m. at The Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home (next to the Knights of Columbus) 453 Shippan Ave Stamford, CT (203)-359-9999. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Church of the Holy Spirit 403 Scofieldtown Rd Stamford, CT. Interment will follow at St John Cemetery, Darien, CT

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Mary Beth Benison Foundation (MBBloves.org) P.O. Box 160, Holden, MA 01520 or Myocarditis Foundation, (Myocarditisfoundation.org). To send on-line condolences to the family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com