RICHARD E. BENJAMIN

BENJAMIN, RICHARD E., 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2025. He was the beloved husband of the late Gail A. (Noel) Benjamin. They had been married for 59 years upon her passing in 2023. A lifelong resident of Coventry, he was the son of the late Joseph E. Benjamin and Lois A. (Dusza) Benjamin.

Growing up in Coventry, Richard went to school at Our Lady of Czenstochowa and served as an altar boy in the Church. He was a 1959 graduate of Coventry High School.

 
In his younger days, he was a Ham radio enthusiast, became a Third Degree Knights of Columbus in 1962, and loved to fix and rebuild cars. His love of cars was a lifelong hobby.

Richard was employed by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton as an electronics mechanic for 15 years. He traveled the World on numerous sea trials after a submarine's construction. He then continued his career at the Naval Underwater Systems Center in Middletown, RI as a Communications Specialist. He was quite proud of the work he did before retiring in 2005.

More than his work he was a proud, loving and devoted family man. While his children were growing up, he never missed any hockey, softball games or the other numerous activities they were involved in. He would happily take them to their games and tournaments in any town, state or country they needed to be in. Years later when his two grandsons played hockey and baseball he happily did it all over again.

Richard continued his love of working on cars by restoring his mother’s 1973 Chevy Nova. He also started restoring a 1969 Pontiac Firebird convertible. He was  a wonderful cook. He could also build or fix anything. He also loved boating, fishing, swimming and just spending time with family and friends at the family’s summerhouse “The Camp” on Johnson’s Pond.

Richard leaves a son Michael N. Benjamin and his wife Lois of Coventry, and a daughter Anne M. DaSilva and her husband Kenneth of Coventry. Two cherished grandsons Shane M. Benjamin and his wife Bailey of Norwood, MA and Cameron N. Benjamin of Coventry. A great-granddaughter four month old Emma Elizabeth Benjamin. Richard was the brother of Kenneth J. Benjamin of West Warwick, and the late Kathleen A. Benjamin.

Visiting hours will be on Friday morning, May 23, 2025 from 9 - 11 am, with a Funeral Service at 11 am in the IANNOTTI Funeral Home, 415 Washington St. (Rte.117) Coventry. Interment in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Johnson’s Pond Civic Association.  P.O. Box 123 Coventry, RI 02816 would be appreciated. iannottifh.com

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