George Benjamin of Taunton, son of the late Charles and Anna (Plata) Benjamin, passed away at Morton Hospital Oct. 16, 2013 after a long illness. He leaves his devoted wife of 23 years Diane (Fournier) Benjamin; sons Michael, James, Brian and daughter Patricia Benjamin of Taunton; 12 grandchildren and 2 great grand children. He was the husband of the late Frances (Stack) Benjamin.
George was called “Brother” by Lorraine Poole of Berkley, Mary “Mae” Walker of Taunton, Charles Benjamin Jr. of Raynham, Ted Benjamin of Taunton, and his dear cousin Anne Wilcox of Taunton. He was predeceased by sisters Charlotte Johnson and Cecelia Perra.
George began his working career as a stock boy at Swank, Inc. in Attleboro. After serving 2 years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a radioman proficient in Morse Code, he returned to Swank. During the next 15 years his training as a Time Study & Methods Engineer gave him the opportunity to learn jewelry manufacturing and start his own business, Classic Jewelry, in 1969. Classic became the exclusive manufacturer of jewelry products for Coppercraft Guild in Taunton.
In 1968 George and his brothers opened the original Benjamin’s Restaurant on the site of the “old Ward 8” on Bay Street in Taunton. He later became sole proprietor,
expanding his restaurant and running its operations over the next 25 years, creating the landmark it is today.
In the early 1970’s George founded Classic Industries, Inc. which encompassed Classic Jewelry; Space Age Clean Air, manufacturer of commercial and industrial air purification systems; as well as Benjamin’s Restaurant. The proudest moment of his professional career came in August of 1978 when he was named “Free Enterprise Man of the Year” by the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce for his “...untiring and dedicated commitment to the free enterprise system” and his “dynamic leadership in shaping companies”. In 1980 he was named a corporator of the Taunton Development Cooperation.
George was an avid golfer. As with his businesses he studied and perfected his game, playing some of the best courses in the country. His favorite golf course remained Segregansett Country Club where he held his first Benjamin Open in 1970. In his younger days George enjoyed playing softball, bowling, and table tennis. Later in life, he enjoyed winters in Florida, especially walking the beach to the Bill Baggs Lighthouse on Key Biscayne; spending time at the Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park; his weekly toy-shopping trips to the mall with his grandchildren; and hosting an annual Benjamin’s Employee Christmas Party where Santa Claus handed out presents to all of his employees’ young children and grandchildren.
George retired in 2006 due to poor health. He is remembered for his endless generosity to numerous charities, in particular fund drives for Coyle & Cassidy High School and the re-opening of the Hopewell Park swimming pool for the benefit of area children.
Internment will be private. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Jude the Apostle church on Whittenton Street in Taunton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George Benjamin’s name to the Friends of the Taunton Animal Care Facility 821 West Water Street, Taunton, MA or the St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Jude the Apostle Parish 249 Whittenton Street, Taunton, MA. Arrangements by the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home in Taunton. Visit our website www.okeefewade.com to sign the online guestbook, obituaries & directions.