James F. Benson, 92, of Clinton, passed away at his home on March 16, 2011. A life-long Clinton resident, Jim was born on March 5, 1919 the son of Frederick and Ada (Dawes) Benson. He was a member of the 1936 graduating class at Clinton High School, where he was the first of three generations of Bensons to play on the Clinton High Hockey Team. Jim attended the Utica school of Commerce and began his 46 year career with Utica Radiator Corp. in 1937 rising through the ranks serving as treasurer and eventually retiring as president of Utica Boilers in 1984, where he continued on the board of directors until 1999. He was a US Naval Veteran, of WWII having served in both Atlantic and Pacific theatres aboard the USS Tripoli. On February 20, 1950 at St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford, Jim was married to Rosemary Hart, a union recently celebrating 61 years. His past associations include the Cost Accountants and Credit Men's Associations, a former member of the Clinton Kiwanis, and clerk of the Clinton School Board for 10 years. He was a member of the Clinton Historical Society, the Helmuth-Ingalls American Legion, the Clinton VFW, and a life- long member of St. James Episcopal Church in Clinton. Jim was a 50 plus year member of both the Clinton Fire Dept. and the Skenandoa Club of Clinton serving the latter as treasurer in the early club years. Jim is survived by his wife Rosemary, a daughter and son in law; Mary and Robert Byrd of New Hartford, 2sons; James R. of Clinton and Michael H. of Latham and Clinton, his grandchildren; Andrew and Kevin Byrd, Brian Benson, Carrie Benson and her husband Jose Pineda, and a special friend; Shawn Dobbins and family. He will be missed by Jake, the family golden retriever. He is also survived by his in-laws, Jane and Lewis Smith, Rosemary Hart, Katherine Dawes, his cousins Judy Bentley and Vincent Dawes and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Benson's Funeral Service will be held Monday, March 21, 2011 at 10:30 am at St. James Episcopal Church, Williams St., Clinton. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Clinton. Calling at the Heintz Funeral Home, 10 East Park Row, Clinton will be held Sunday, March 20, 2011 from 2 till 5 pm.