Richard James Benham, age 86, of Seymour, the beloved husband of 66 years to Sandra Horischak Benham, entered into eternal rest peacefully on Monday, April 26, 2021 at home.
He was born in Shelton on December 17, 1934, son of the late Eleanor (Keefe) and William M. Benham.
In addition to his loving wife Sandra, Richard’s family includes his daughters Susan and Debra of Seymour, Cynthia Bova and her husband John of Wolcott, Darlene Cottle and her husband Jonathan of New Hartford and Charlene Giardina and her husband Luigi of Southbury, his four grandsons Shawn Bova and his wife Marie, Justin Bova, Sebastiano and Zachary Giardina, great grandson Landon Bova, and a number of nephews and niece. Besides his parents, Richard was predeceased by his brothers William and Kenneth and a grandson Christopher John Bova.
Richard attended Saint Joseph’s School and Shelton High School (1952). He received a degree in Business Administration from Post College and was a graduate of the CUNA School at the University of Wisconsin with a Certification in Credit Union Administration. Richard proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in France and Lebanon.
He retired from the Farrel Corporation as Manager, Standard Cost Accounting after 36 years and also served at the Farrel Federal Credit Union for 27 years as CEO and Treasurer-Manager. Richard was a member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Credit Union League and held the office of Treasurer. On the national level, he represented all Connecticut Credit Unions as a delegate to CUNA national meetings for a period of 10 years. He also was a volunteer for the Charitable Foundation of CCUL.
In Seymour, where he resided for the past 61 years, he was a past Treasurer of the Democratic Town Committee and numerous election campaigns at the local and state levels. He was elected to the Board of Assessors for two terms serving as Chairman and served on a Charter Revision Commission and the Seymour Housing Authority for one term.
Richard was Treasurer of the Seymour Christmas Parade organization for a number of years, was a member of the Seymour Land Trust Association and the Seymour Senior Citizens Center. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Aurora Council #53, and a past Grand Knight and Treasurer of that council. Richard was a communicant of the Church of the Good Shepherd (St. Nicholas Parish) where he served as an usher and was also a past President of the Men’s’ Club. Richard was also a member of the Oxford Senior Singers and was an active member of the Oxford Senior Center, serving on the Board of Directors of the Oxford Senior Citizens, Inc. as it’s Treasurer for a number of years until that corporation was dissolved.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 135 Mountain Road, Seymour followed by interment in the family plot at Mountain Meadows Cemetery in Seymour. Friends and relatives may call on the family on Saturday morning from 9:00 am until 10:15 am at the Miller-Ward Funeral Home, 260 Bank Street (RT 67, across from Klarides Village) Seymour. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, guests will be asked to wear masks and to adhere to social distancing requirements at all times.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Seasons Hospice, both through the funeral home.
To light a virtual candle or to leave condolences online, please visit www.millerwardfuneralhome.com
