Robert S. Benner Obituary
Robert Stanley Benner, 87, of Steep Falls, Maine, passed away December 30, 2019 after a short illness.
He was born June 8, 1932, in Bristol, Maine, the son of James G. and Charlotte M. (Young) Benner.
Bob attended Bristol area schools. After high school graduation, Bob entered United States Army Basic Combat Training in Indiana, serving for three years as U.S. Army Platoon Sergeant, stationed in Germany. He kept in touch with a number of his Army buddies through the years.
He married June L. Lagerson on September 9, 1954, and they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Bob and June worked together diligently to build a comfortable, happy home for their family. Bob was employed as production foreman for many years at Sylvania Electric in Waldoboro, Bangor, and Standish, from which he ultimately retired. Bob also had a talent for selling cars, making many friends while doing so and enjoying repeat customers from all over Maine. In his early years, Bob served as a respected Boy Scout leader of the Medomak Valley Troop in Waldoboro. Bob was an accomplished vegetable and fruit gardener. He and June would relish the winter arrival of the new seed catalogs. He enjoyed hunting, clamming, fishing and canoeing, often with his faithful cocker spaniel Daniel at his side. He took pleasure in reminiscing about family camping trips to Baxter State Park and the Canadian Maritimes. He was an active fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, even attending a few home games. A favorite pursuit was cutting wood for the family hearth. His outdoor woodpiles were a marvel to behold, with one well-built circular stack being photographed and featured in the local daily paper. With his dry wit, Bob was a gifted storyteller, aware that timing was everything. He never forgot a punch line. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed the challenge of the daily crossword puzzle. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers George A. Benner, and J. Gordon Benner, and sister, Evelyn Alley.
Surviving are his wife of 65 years, June Benner; son Mark (Wanda) Benner of Topsham; daughters Deborah Smith of Bangor; Dianna Weigel of Brewer; Della (Gary) Heard of Monson, Mass.; Delia (David) McGowan of Portland; grandchildren Jennifer (James) Hartz of Glen Shaw, Penn; Amanda (Mike) Tanguay of Hudson; Kate Weigel of Moab, Utah; great grandchildren Raolin, Jocelyn, Julianna, Jameson; brother John (Dee) Benner of Soldotna, Alaska; sisters Marjorie (Tom) Benoit of Las Vegas, Nev.; and Emma (Neil) McFarland of South Bristol; and nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.
A private service will be held in the spring. Arrangements are under the direction of Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home.
Arrangements are with Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com
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