HUDSON FALLS – Gary Leonard “Bud” Benson, 78, of Hudson Falls passed from this world on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Glens Falls Hospital, with his family at his side.
Born March 15, 1936 in Glens Falls, he was the son of Leo and Isabelle (Shea) Benson.
Gary graduated from Hudson Falls Central School in 1954. He served proudly in the US Navy aboard the USS Terrebone Parish – LST 1156 from 1954 to 1956. Gary was in the Navy reserves until 1962. Upon discharge from active Navy duty, he attended Albany Business College. For many years, he worked as a Lab Technician at the former Imperial (Hercules) and retired from Ciba-Geigy in 1988 after 32 years of service.
Gary was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. When his children were young, you often found Gary volunteering his time and energies to the Hudson Falls Little League, Boy Scouts –Troop 56, and Hudson Falls Girls Softball League. He always had time to help his friends and family whenever there was a need. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Hudson Falls and served on several committees and groups there. He was a past President of the Board of Trustees, and a member and former President of the United Methodist Mens’ Club.
In addition to his parents, Gary was predeceased by his sister, Patricia Lane; and his father and mother-in-law, Donald and Gladys (Wells) Juckett.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Sandra Juckett Benson; his children, Jeffrey Benson and Holly Hanson of Durkeetown, Stacey Benson-Doty and her husband, Richard of Fort Edward and Lori Benson, of Fort Edward. Also left to treasure the many “Dudisms” that Gary had to offer are his most treasured gifts – his grandchildren, Sara Morgan Pulver, Ethan Paul Doty, Molly Elizabeth Doty and Jasmine Elaine Doty; his sister, Donna Keck and Don Carpenter of Athol; brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Rosemary Juckett of Virginia and Lynn and Karen Juckett of Arkansas. Gary is also survived by his former daughter-in-law, Lori Sheehan; his former son-in-law, Robert Pulver; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family who all held a special spot in his heart; and his constant canine companion, Seth.
Friends may call on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls, and on Thursday, July 24, from 10 to 11 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Hudson Falls, 227 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 am on Thursday, at the church, with the Reverend Derek Hansen, pastor, officiating.
Burial will follow at Moss Street Cemetery in the town of Kingsbury.
The family would like to extend their thanks to all of the ER staff of Glens Falls Hospital for their compassion and care and Fort Edward Rescue Squad. Thank you to all the friends and family who came to visit Gary when he was unable to get out and about. Your visits meant the world to him. A special thanks to Dr. Coppens, Dr. Mihindu, Dr. Gray and Shaun Cumm for their care of Gary during these past years.
The family suggests donations in Gary’s memory be made to Fort Edward Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 226, Fort Edward, NY 12828 or United Methodist Church of Hudson Falls Trustees – Front Step Repair Fund, 227 Main Street, Hudson Falls or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
