Mr. Eugene Benman, 98, of Fayetteville, NY, and formerly of Whitesboro, NY, passed away March 24, 2024, at Upstate Community Hospital, in Syracuse.

     Eugene was born on March 13,1926, in Utica, NY, the son of Carl and Josephine (Sczot) Benman. He was raised in Utica and graduated from T.R. Proctor High. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served from 1944 to 1946. He graduated from Union College, Schenectady, with a degree in electrical engineering. On August 29, 1953, he was married to Eleanor Devins, a loving union of 70 years. For three-and-a-half decades he worked for the General Electric Company. For years, he was the quality control manager for GE's Utica Aerospace plant. He was also active in many civic organizations including the Jaycees. For many years, before moving to Fayetteville in 2015, he was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Whitesboro, NY. In college he was on the varsity swim team and continued to be an avid swimmer throughout adulthood and into his 90s. He was also well-known as a running enthusiast, coaching his children's grade school track teams and photographing high school competitions. He would often hand out his photographs to competitors at meets. In 2005 he was an honorary starter for the E.J. Herrmann Invitational, a cross country meet he had himself run in six decades before and had been coached in high school by the legendary E. J. Herrmann himself.

     Eugene is survived by his wife Eleanor and his children Karen (Timothy) DeBlois, of Fayetteville, NY; Keith (Carolyn) Benman, of Massena, NY; and David (Loretta) Benman, of Danvers, MA. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by Kay Benman, his sister-in-law, of Versailles, MO. Eugene was predeceased by his brother Richard.

     Per Gene’s request, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Sleep in Heavenly Peace by check with a memo line saying, "in memory of Gene Benman". Please have checks made out to: Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Mailing address: 201 W. Genesee St., #241, Fayetteville NY 13066