James R. Benjamin's Obituary
James R. Benjamin passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2013 at the age of 97.
Beloved husband of the late Thelma Joachim Benjamin. Loving father of Gayle Benjamin Schneider (William P. Sr.) and Dianne Benjamin Bretton (John). Son of the late Fanny Sullivan Benjamin and John Wesley Benjamin. Grandfather of William P. Schneider, Jr. (Rhonda), Jennifer E. Bretton, Julie Bretton Small (Brandon), Jonathan D. Bretton (Lindsey) and James E. Bretton (Amanda). Great-grandfather of Megan M. Schneider, Dustin W. Schneider, Dylan B. Bretton, Callie M. Bretton, Kady L. Bretton and Devynn A. Small. Brother of the late John Weldon Benjamin, George Albert Benjamin, Louis Eugene Benjamin, Minerva Benjamin Tobler and Fanny Benjamin Lanne.
Mr. Benjamin was a native of New Orleans and a resident of Covington since 2005. He was a WW II Army veteran with service in Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He was a second wave survivor at Omaha Beach on D-Day and served with General George S. Patton personally presented him with the Bronze Star and other service medals. Mr. Benjamin was a founding sponsor of the National WW II Museum in New Orleans. He retired from Falstaff Brewing Co. after 38 years of service.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass on Friday, January 10, 2013 at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 at 11:00 AM with visitation on Thursday evening from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM and on Friday morning from 9:00 AM until Mass time.
Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of Mr. Benjamin to be made to Wounded Warriors Project or Generations Hospice, 32948 LA Hwy 16, Denham Springs, LA 70726.
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