Obituary of Eugene Benjamin

Eugene H. Benjamin PUTNEY Eugene Harold Benjamin, 68, of Putney, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday. July 6, 2011.Gene came from a large family on Park Avenue in Brattleboro. He attended St. Michael's School and graduated from Keene State College. After college Gene taught at Kurn Hattin and also taught woodworking at Brattleboro High School. Later, Gene turned to carpentry and masonry work and over the years left his mark on many beautiful chimneys and hearths in southern Vermont. He also constructed barns, decks, outbuildings and was an all around 'fix-it' person who could be counted on to help you out on short notice. He gave of his time generously to others at times of need and volunteered for the Aids Project of Southern Vermont. Gene was an avid motorcyclist who thoroughly loved gliding the back roads of southern Vermont on his BMW motorcycle and always came home with stories of what he had encountered. For many years Gene volunteered each Friday at Grace Cottage Hospital as a mail courrier, often arriving on his motorcycle. An apt description of Gene would be "Jack of all trades and master of his BMW." He loved and appreciated the rural nature of Vermont and enjoyed outdoor tasks of working with his tractor, cutting firewood and backyard sugar-making. He enjoyed fishing, and in years past, basketball and softball. Always quick with a joke, he had a wry sense of humor. A loving family man, Gene is survived by his wife, Nancy Waterhouse of Putney; by his daughters, Norma Hamilton, and daughter-in-law, Bonnie Gunn of Williston, Tammie Benjamin of Grafton, N.Y., and Emma Rodgers of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; by his son, Kevin Benjamin of Wilton, N.Y.; his grandchildren, Tristan Simano of Springfield, Adam Hamilton of Williston, Breanna Gunn of Williston, Justin Benjamin, Cody Benjamin and Nicholas Benjamin, all of Corinth, N.Y., and a new grandaughter, Ashlynne Rodgers of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; brothers, Hubert Benjamin of Connecticut, Clayton Benjamin of Hinsdale, N.H., David Benjamin of Westfield, Conn., and Gerald Benjamin of Brattleboro, and sisters, Nancy Campbell of Brattleboro, Celia Crapo of Windsor Locks, Conn., and Marie Wright of Brattleboro. He was predeceased by son, Michael Benjamin of Brattleboro. FUNERAL NOTICE: A celebration of Gene's life will be held at his home at 51 Dusty Ridge Road, Putney, on July 17, at 2 p.m. All who knew him are invited. Directions and on-line guestbook are at gbenjamincelebration.com In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Cottage Hospital , Route 35, Townshend, VT 05353 or to the Aids Project of Southern Vermont, 67 Main St., # 42, Brattleboro , Vt 05301.