Joseph Edward Benoit

DELMAR - Joseph Edward "Eddie" Benoit died peacefully on January 14, 2016 just shy of his 103rd birthday. Born January 22, 1913 in Worcester, MA, he was a graduate of South High and attended Clark College, both in Worcester, MA. Following college, Eddie worked as a salesman at Worcester County Electric Light Co. before joining the Navy. He enlisted in the Navy Reserve in September 1940 and served on active duty throughout WWII from January 1942 until October 1945. He first served on a minesweeper, then on an attack cargo ship and honorably discharged as a Chief Signalman. He married Rita Mullan in 1947 and moved to Delmar in 1949 where he was VP and part owner of Albany Appliance Distributors, serving 19 counties in southern NY and eastern MA. His smile, outgoing personality, and gentle spirit were a warm welcome to all his dealers. Following his retirement in 1979 Eddie moved to Sarasota, FL for 25 years before returning back home to Delmar where he resided at Delmar Place until 2013. Predeceased by his wife Rita of 57 years in 2004 he is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Tougher (William) of Delmar, 5 grandchildren, Ryan (Jen) Tougher, Meagan (Ben) Preece, Gavin Tougher, of Telluride, CO, Shannon (John) and Brendan (Katie) Tougher of San Francisco, CA and 5 great-grandchildren; Cailen and Baen Tougher, Owen and Hudson Preece, and Avi. With his passing, Eddie has left behind a legacy his family strives to embody as well as an example for how life should be lived. With hard work and determination, gratitude for life's gifts, and the utmost love and appreciation for family and friends, it is possible to savor all of life's pleasures. Though an accomplished equestrian, avid golfer, skier, and boatsman his greatest pleasure was dancing with his wife. A communicant at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, he was a member of the Notre Dame Society and spent countless hours raising money for the new school, church & rectory. Eddie was also a member of Normanside CC, American Legion Post 1040, Bethlehem Lions Club, Country Club of Sarasota, and the Sarasota Yacht Club. We like to thank the staff at Evergreen Commons for their genuine care and compassion at the time of his death. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Mid- April followed by a Military Burial at Saratoga National Cemetery.