Dean Duglas Murice Benjamin
November 20, 1947 – January 19, 2022
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dean, beloved spouse of Olga after several years of courageous battles with cancers. He knew his daughters were all travelling home with their families so he waited for all to arrive home along with the boys at home in Dryden so all could be with him at his bedside. A remarkable husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend that will be loved and cherished forever leaving a void that will be hard to fill.
Dean was born in Fort Frances and remained a proud down homer and also spent many years in Ear Falls as his daughters were growing up. He was a proud individual with work ethic at the top of his priorities which were profound gifts he passed on to all of his children who now pass on to their own children. His concerns in his final days were the work time family was missing and they needed to get back home! Dean, being a hard worker himself, worked for 44 years as a machine operator in the woodlands division with various contractors until his retirement in 2009. He enjoyed time spent at camp in the outdoors, fishing, and spending time with family and new found friends too. He was born and spent his early years until age 12 on a farm and has always had a love for farming and spent several weeks of his holidays during his working years on the farm in Rainy River with this daughter Nicole and family until such time they retired from farming and moved to new jobs. He came home one day being frustrated with his adventures at the farm and informed me that he finally figured out why cows were so dumb, it was because they fall on their head when they were born. He had an opportunity to travel during his retirement including an Alaskan Cruise, a few Las Vegas trips and travelled to most of the provinces in Canada. He loved the Eastern provinces the most and absolutely loved the fresh seafood! There were plans for a return to the East Coast but many obstacles got in the way. He absolutely loved to play cards and also loved to win! The past two summers many games of crib and canasta were shared with all the kids and grandkids home. When there was no one to play the games, he fought it out with his laptop and said it was always rigged as he couldn’t win enough games! We started a new game this past summer called Farkle and many hours were spent playing outside on the deck in the summer time and even up to most recently this winter. Many fun filled afternoons were spent at Dryden Go-Getters playing Canasta, Euchre and Crib until Covid. Those times were missed immensely as well as all the good times with friends, potlucks etc. He loved his sports didn’t miss a Blue Jay’s game, or a Maple Leaf’s Game and we travelled to many curling events and watched hours together on TV. He was always a Cleveland Brown’s fan but was starting to waiver to the Tennessee Titans when Mike and the girls became Titan fans and sported their fan wear.
Dean will be deeply missed by his spouse Olga of 31 years, daughters Leah (Brad) Derry Newmarket, ON, Nicole (Andrew) Brumwell Regina SK, Carrie (Sean) McGinnis Cambridge, ON, Sonia (Paul) Attisano Milton, ON, Mike (Chrystal) Kellar Dryden, ON and Marty (Shyla) Kellar Dryden, ON as well as his wonderful grandchildren Zach, Mitchell and Brooklyn Derry; Bryer, Gavin, Trista and Cameron Brumwell; Liam and Payton McGinnis; Xander and Kaylee Attisano and Blakely and Brielle Kellar and sister Vi Pollard from BC and many friends and extended family.
Dean was predeceased by his lovely granddaughter MacKenzie Rae Benjamin in 2020 and his brothers Ralph, Mervin, Marion, Alfred, Don, Alvin and his sister Hazel and parents David and Matilda Benjamin.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ian Anderson Hospice in Oakville, ON – https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ian-anderson-house-foundation/ – a wonderful place that took exceptional care of our lovely granddaughter MacKenzie in her final weeks in 2020 or through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.
Dean has requested no service but asks everyone to work hard, live your lives, be honest, strive for your best and most importantly play cards often. Love you all.
Condolences may be posted at www.dcfh.ca
