Obituary of Joshua S. Benson

Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, New Jersey 07834 (973) 627-1880 Star Ledger 1x Wednesday please place American Flag in with obituary. Neighbor News Observer-Tribune Joshua Sawyer Benson Sr. passed away at his home in Denville on Tuesday June 26, 2012. He was born on February 4, 1931 in Great Neck, New York. Josh attended Columbia University and joined the Glee Club and was honored to perform on the Milton Berle Show. He then joined the Air Force in 1950. He was a control tower operator and air traffic controller, serving at various air force bases in the US and Guam. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal, and was honorably discharged as an Airman 1st Class in 1954. Thereafter, he attended Rutgers University and was a member of the University College Honor Society. He graduated with high honors and was the President of the Senior Class, member of Delta Sigma Pi and the SA Key in 1961. Josh earned an MBA, also from Rutgers, in 1971. Josh worked for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company in Boston and Milwaukee from 1957 through 1961. He joined Bell Laboratories in Whippany NJ in 1962 before settling in Denville in 1964. He moved on to Bell Communications Research (BellCore) in 1984 following the breakup of AT&T. He specialized in Relocation Services and was a senior certified relocation professional and a member of the Board of Directors of the Employee Relocation Council (ERC). He received the ERC President’s Award and was a published author and contributor to the “Employee Relocation Council and Relocation Policy Development” book published in 1987. Josh retired from BellCore in 1992 and enjoyed retirement. He was a member of the Denville Senior Citizens’ Club and the American Legion. He was also a member of the “Shoot the Breeze” Club. He enjoyed traveling and was an avid golfer. Josh was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret, in 2002. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Johnson Benson, and six children, Virginia (Dave) Chanda, Joshua Jr. (Jackie), Susan (Mike) Chibidakis, Margaret (Anthony) Chiodo, William (Patricia) and Catherine (Scott) Leonard. He is also survived by his grandchildren, David, James and Victoria Chanda, Elena and Bryan Benson, Ryan and Maggie Chibidakis; Anthony Chiodo; Lauren Benson; and Andrew and Cara Leonard. He is also survived by his stepchildren Janice, Bryan, and Walter Johnson and their children Emily, Alex, Scott, Cecilia and Jack. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial Service on day, June 29th at 11 am at St. Mary’s Church Denville, NJ interment and committal services at Denville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Funeral Services thru Norman Dean Home for Services Denville, NJ www.normandean.com, (please light a candle in memory of Josh and read complete obituary on website). Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, New Jersey 07834 (973) 627-1880 Daily Record 1x Wednesday please place flag in obituary Joshua Sawyer Benson Sr. passed away at his home in Denville on Tuesday June 26, 2012. He was born on February 4, 1931 in Great Neck, New York. Josh was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret, in 2002. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Johnson Benson, and six children, Virginia (Dave) Chanda, Joshua Jr. (Jackie), Susan (Mike) Chibidakis, Margaret (Anthony) Chiodo, William (Patricia) and Catherine (Scott) Leonard. He is also survived by his grandchildren, David, James and Victoria Chanda, Elena and Bryan Benson, Ryan and Maggie Chibidakis; Anthony Chiodo; Lauren Benson; and Andrew and Cara Leonard. He is also survived by his stepchildren Janice, Bryan, and Walter Johnson and their children Emily, Alex, Scott, Cecilia and Jack. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial Service on Friday, June 29th at 11 am at St. Mary’s Church Denville, NJ interment and committal services at Denville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Funeral Services thru Norman Dean Home for Services Denville, NJ www.normandean.com, (please light a candle in memory of Josh and read complete obituary on website).