Benson, Albert William Frederick
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Albert William Frederick Benson born on June 17, 1939 in Radway, Alberta. He passed away suddenly on November 11, 2015 from complications due to a fall 4 days prior.
Albert leaves behind his loving wife of 53 years, Moira Benson, daughter Sandra (Bill) Shook, sons Ron (Lorrell), Buff (Lisa) and Ray (Contessa) Benson: grandchildren Whitney (Jesse), Ryan (Amanda), Travis (Emma), Martin, Brantley, Emmilly, Omar and Chloe. He also leaves behind a brother-in-law Bill Ritchie, 4 siblings: George (Betty), Doris Collis, Jim (Anita) and Margaret (Alexander) Gilmour and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind an honorary sister and brother-in-law, Annette and Gordon Clarke in Australia and a multitude of friends.
Albert moved with his family from Alberta to Cedar in 1948. They started with growing potatoes and then to a dairy herd. He was a 4-H member and later a leader of the 4-H Dairy Club in Cedar. He was President of the Vancouver Island Holstein Club and received a 30 year Veteran Breeders Pin from Holstein Canada. He was a milk producer for 52 years. After retiring from milking cows he then purchased a herd of Herefords. His family shipped Holsteins to Japan, Cuba, Korea, Morocco and more recently beef cattle to Kazakhstan.
In his younger years he played hockey, softball, badminton and roller skating. There was an outdoor roller rink in Cedar near the intersection of Cedar and Yellow Point Roads where he met Moira in 1960. He loved to dance and the Polka was his favourite. He loved his hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs and cheered them on from his comfy chair with Aussie the cat at his side.
He could operate or repair any piece of farm machinery but he could not master how to use a can opener or anything that required small fingers.
He liked to travel as long as someone else made the plans and packed the suitcases. He said all he needed was his razor and his toothbrush. In the last 4 years he cruised the Hawaiian Islands, bused to New Orleans and Mt. Rushmore, cruised from Vancouver to Sydney Australia and this past October did a 10 day cruise from Vancouver to California and back.
He was a well-known and liked member of the Cedar Community and his stories and nick names for people will be missed by many.
A Celebration of Life for Albert will be held, Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the Cedar Community Hall in Cedar at 1pm. Refreshments will be served. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Chemainus Theatre Festival in memory of Albert would be appreciated.
Condolences may be offered at www.telfordsladysmith.com