Paxton/Worcester – John A. “Jack” Benoit, 87, a longtime Paxton resident, died peacefully at home on Friday, May 31, 2024, with family by his side.
Mr. Benoit was married for 60 years to his late wife, Joan F. (Oster) Benoit who passed away in 2019. He is survived by a son, Paxton Fire Department Deputy Chief Michael J. Benoit and his wife, Michelle of Paxton; his two grandsons, Andrew D. Benoit and Jonathan M. Benoit of Paxton; a great granddaughter, Ellie Maye Benoit; a brother, James Benoit of Holden and many nephews and nieces.
Jack was born in Worcester, son of the late Albert and Dorothy (Farnon) Benoit.
Mr. Benoit graduated from Saint Stephen’s High School in Worcester and continued his education earning a bachelor’s degree from Fitchburg State Teachers College and was President of the Class of 1959. He earned his master’s degree at Worcester State College. He worked for the Town of Holden and the Wachusett Regional School District for over 40 years. Jack’s educational career influenced hundreds of children at Holden Junior High, Mountview School, Jefferson Middle/Elementary School and The Naquag School in Rutland. He served as Principal at both Jefferson and Naquag. After his retirement, Jack worked consulting for the district in the Special Education Department. Jack’s second calling to public service was to the citizens of Paxton as a Firefighter/Lieutenant on the Paxton Fire Department (On Call) for 25 years.
Jack and Joan were longtime members of the Frohsinn Club in Shrewsbury where he served as Chairman of the Scholarship Fund. Jack also was a member of the Auburn Elks and Paxton Firefighters Association.
During his retirement he and his wife, Joan, devoted much of their time to their two grandchildren, Andrew and Jonathan. He would never miss a game or activity. Jack was a longtime member of Saint Columba Church where he volunteered in many capacities serving on the parish council and coordinating the Hope for Housing Program to benefit the Central Mass Housing Alliance.
The family would like to thank the caring and loving staff at Tatnuck Park of Worcester for all their love and care while Jack resided there for the past two years.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 4th with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in St. Columba Church 10 Richards Avenue Paxton (Please meet directly at church). Burial will follow in Mooreland Cemetery, Paxton. Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 3rd from 5 to 7 PM in the Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond St. Worcester. Memorial contributions in memory of Jack may be made to the Paxton Fire Department 576 Pleasant St. Paxton, MA 01612 or to the Hope for Housing c/o Central Mass Housing Alliance 6 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609.
To share a memory of Jack, sign the online guestbook or for directions please visit www.Royfuneral.com