Leon Benson
1927-2020
It is with great sadness the family of Leon Benson announce
his passing on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at Charlotte County Hospital,
St. Stephen NB, with his wife at his side.
Leon was born in Saint John NB. in 1927 and began his life in
Seal Cove, Grand Manan NB. When he was 12 the family moved
to Eastport, Maine.
In 1946 he enlisted in the US Army, from which he was
honorably discharged in 1947.
He graduated from Calais Memorial High School in
1948.
In 1951 Leon graduated from Washington State Teachers
College, Machias, Maine, the same year he enlisted in the US Air
Force, from which he retired as a Master Sergeant in
1970.
For a few years in the 1970’s he worked part time
as a bartender at the American Legion in Calais, Maine.
In 1975 he completed the Home Construction program at the
Washington County Vocational Technical Institute.
In 1980 Leon graduated from the University of Maine in
Machias with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration,
majoring in Marketing.
From the mid 1980’s to early
‘90’s, he worked as a security officer for Georgia
Pacific in Woodland, Me, from which he retired for the last
time.
In 2000, Leon married Sandra McLachlan Smith of St. Stephen
NB, and moved back to Canada, where they lived happily in St. Stephen
until his passing.
Leon is survived by his wife, Sandra (McLachlan, Smith),
daughter, Deborah Burcham (Terry Bunker) of Allandale NB, son,
George Benson (Maureen) of Ottawa ON, grandson, Joshua
Burcham (Laurie) of Valley NS, great-grandsons, Benjamin,
Nicholas & Alexander Burcham of Valley NS, nieces; Rosalie
Campbell of Ottawa, Bonny Gaskill, Florena Daggett, Charlotte Frost,
all of Grand Manan and Jacqueline Benson of Florida, nephews;
Roosevelt Benson of Fredericton and Francis Benson (Angela) of
Woodland Maine, three stepsons ; Darren Smith, Mark Smith
and Neal Smith of St. Stephen NB.
Predeceased by his parents, Stuart and Leone (McLaughlin)
Benson, sisters, Helene Guptill and Kathleen, brothers, Ottawa and
Francis Benson.
Cremation will take place. At Leon’s
request, there will be no service or interment. The family
will hold a private gathering at a later date.
For those who wish, donations in memory of Leon may be made
to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Alzheimer Society
NB or a charity of one’s choice.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Leon Benson 19272020..
Death notice for the town of: St-Stephen, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick