November 12, 1948 - January 08, 2021
When Anthony Ray “Tony” Benjamin died at home in Loveland, Colorado, on January 8, 2021, he began that day as he did most of the others since his cancer diagnosis; with a ready smile and the determination to be there for his beloved family for as long as possible.
This gallant heart and brave spirit leaves behind a loved and loving group of family, friends and admiring work associates stretching from coast to coast. A lifelong lover of history in all its nuances, an omnivorous reader whose books overflowed into every room in the house, a fisherman who caught everything from trout to sharks (he once caught a shark in a too-small boat) and who took his sons fishing in Good Luck Lake in upstate New York just as Tony’s father did when he was young, and a superb writer and journalist, we should not just mourn Tony’s death. We should celebrate his life.
His story began on November 12, 1948, with his birth in Amsterdam, New York, the son of William and Vivian (Seidl) Benjamin. After living in Johnstown and Hudson Falls, New York, his mother moved with her sons to Lake Worth, a small town on Florida’s southeastern coast. Many of the friends made in those early days in Lake Worth remained friends forever. For Tony, friendship was not just a word, it was a way of life.
He blossomed during his three years at Lake Worth High School, at the forefront of every activity in which he participated. Of average stature, in sports he always played bigger than he was; as a catcher in baseball and starting guard for the high school football team which he co-captained. He had the ability to learn in any circumstance, and often referred to the integration of his 1965 high school football team as a life-changing experience. During his senior year in 1966, Tony was elected student council president. After graduation he spent the summer in Washington, D.C., as a congressional aide to Democratic Congressman Paul Rogers, an experience that helped fuel his abiding interest and activism in government at every level from local (he had an active role his Loveland homeowners’ association) to national. He was always ready to debate, argue, support, cajole and, most important, listen.
Graduating from Florida Atlantic University with a BA degree in history (he later earned his master’s degree in New York), Tony had thoughts about teaching when he accidentally discovered journalism. He never looked back.
From a modest start as copy boy at a small newspaper in Boca Raton, Florida, other than his family, he was most proud of his long career in journalism. From Boca Raton, he worked his way up to executive positions at the Grand Forks Herald in North Dakota, the Eagle-Beacon in Wichita, Kansas, the Concord (New Hampshire) Monitor, and The Recorder in Amsterdam, New York, ending his career in the town where he was born. Along the way, he also started his own weekly newspaper and hosted his own radio talk show.
Family was his true pride and joy. In 1971, Tony married the love of his life, Kathleen (Kathy) Gallo Benjamin, and raised two sons Andrew (Andy) and Daniel (Dan). The rest of the immediate family includes Andy’s wife Jaila, their daughter Sophia, and Dan’s wife Chrissy and their children Grifin and Anthea, Tony’s namesake whose birth was the highlight of 2020 for the family. Tony also leaves two brothers, both in Florida; Bruce Benjamin and his wife Rose, and Charles Benjamin and his wife Paula. He was much more than just a relation by marriage to Gus and Ann Gallo, Mike Gallo, Karen Gallo Pierce, Bob and Kim (Gallo) Case and Mark ( predeceased) and Marcia Gallo. He was a loved uncle to all his nieces and nephews.
It was family that brought Tony and Kathy to Colorado. With both sons living there, they moved to Loveland shortly after the birth of their first granddaughter, Sophia. As Sophia put it, he eagerly took on the role of “stay at home Grandpa” while Kathy expanded her career in nursing.
While Tony was greater than the sum of his parts, those parts were legion. He loved all things having to do with food and became an expert pasta maker, featuring his sauce made with homegrown tomatoes. With son Andy, he was a fixture in the Chelsea's booth at many South Routt and Steamboat Springs food festivals. He loved classic rock and enjoyed concerts all over the country, including Colorado’s fabled Red Rocks venue. He enjoyed museums of all kinds, from the historical to the scientific and loved introducing his grandchildren to the wonders he found within. Travel was another delight, especially the Benjamin’s 40th anniversary trip through Italy.
And then there was laughter, always laughter. He was happiest at dinners with friends and family where he could tell stories, many of which were actually true. He could brighten the darkest day and find humor almost anywhere from wearing silly hats for a goofy photo op with his grandchildren to donning a kilt at the annual Scottish festival in Estes Park.
As his family and friends would all agree, as talented as he was at so much, he was an even better human being and will be deeply missed. The family plans to celebrate his life visiting the locations he loved best in upstate New York, Florida and Colorado at a later date.
Contributions in Tony's honor may be made to The American Cancer Society.
Follow this link below to view a video tribute to Tony made with love by Bob and Kaitlin Case and Kathy Benjamin. https://vimeo.com/504490760/755bf11615
