Online Obituaries

Henry A. Benjamin. 86, of East Longmeadow, formerly of Chicopee, died peacefully on October 23, 2019. Born on May 29, 1933, he was the son of the late Henry J. Benjamin and Lucille M. (Plouf) Benjamin. Henry married his college sweetheart, Frances Mary Boback of Rego Park, New York, with whom he celebrated 62 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife, their devoted daughters, Mary Weaver (Paul) and Jeanne Rotatori (Jim) and their cherished grandchildren, Benjamin and Maggie Rotatori. He also leaves his brother, Dr. Gerald Benjamin of Geneseo, NY and his sister, Anita Ferriter (Maurice) of Springfield, MA and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sisters, Claire Lowell and Jeanne Benjamin.

After graduating from Classical High School, he entered the US Army and trained as an Army Ranger. A proud graduate of American International College, he earned his BA Degree in 1959 and Master’s Degree in 1962. He began his career at Ludlow High School and Classical High School and then taught at AIC for 50 years, retiring and serving as Professor Emeritus. He received awards for his teaching and campus leadership and also organized the AIC Alumni Veterans’s Committee.

Henry was a man of great faith and was a communicant at St. Patrick’s Church in Chicopee for over 40 years. He was a CCD teacher, a lector and a Eucharistic Minister. Currently he was a parishioner of Mary, Mother of Hope Church in Springfield, MA where he was a retreat organizer. In addition, he volunteered for Baystate Hospice and treated AIDS patients with Therapeutic Touch Therapy. Henry loved fishing, photography and vacationing in his two favorite places, Ogunquit, ME and Hawaii.

Funeral arrangements are being held at the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home on 69 East St. in Chicopee, MA. Calling hours will be held from 4 – 7 pm on Thursday, October 31st. Funeral at 10 am at the funeral home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope, Church, 840 Page Blvd. in Springfield, MA Burial will follow at 1pm at the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA

In lieu of flowers, a contribution in honor of Henry may be made to American International College. Checks are made payable to AIC, Attn: Office of Institutional Advancement/Heather Gawron, 1000 State St., Box 3B, Springfield, MA 01109 or donate online at www.aid.edu/donate.