John Benson

John Martin Benson Sr. aka “Jack” or “Paw Paw”, at 86 years old went to be with our LORD on Sunday February 7, 2021. He was predeceased by his parents, Warren M. Benson[TB1]  and Mary Helen Quinn Benson, as well as his son David. He is survived by his wife, Melba Bourgeois Benson, his sons, John Jr. and wife Barbara Wylie and Charles, “Chuck” and his wife Kimberly Elliott, his daughter, Kristine, “Tina” and her husband Fabian Bastidas; 4 grandchildren, Michael, Jeanne, Chelsye and Christian; 8 great grandchildren, Brittney, Michael, Samantha, Tristan, Bradley, Mose, Jocelyn and Ruth; two Great-great grandchildren, Mia and Brooklyn, as well as his sister Sonja Bjerg.

His favorite early childhood memory was riding his bicycle in his hometown of Bedford, Indiana. His family moved to Miami where he finished high school and met his best friend Ralph Beaudry, whose friendship continued till the end. He was also quite the prankster along with his future brother-in-law, Paul Bjerg according to his sister Sonja.

After serving in the United States Air Force he attended and graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. In 1968 he moved his family to Hialeah, FL where he owned and ran his company, Gable-Tite Products Co. He also served as president and was a lifetime member of the Hialeah Miami Springs Rotary Club and acted as a bank director for First State Bank of Miami.

His smile was his trademark and lit up a room. He was devoted to his faith, family and community, rarely if ever, complained and forgave easily.  His hobbies included building and sailing catamarans, getting together with friends and playing cards. Jack was hardworking, resourceful and dependable as well as a fun-loving spider hunting, jitterbugging, cardplaying, chess champ.

Eventually he and Melba moved and retired in Key Largo where he served for 16 yrs. as Treasurer of the Men’s Club and Usher for St. Justin the Martyr Catholic Church. Any given day Jack could be seen sitting on the back deck of his home enjoying the sunset saying, “It doesn’t get any better than this”.

His service will be held on Monday, March 29th at 3 p.m. at St. Justin the Martyr Catholic Church with a sunset reception following at Lazy Largo.