James "Jim" Benjamin
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James (Jim) Benjamin passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 94 on November 21, 2021. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Fred Alton and Mona Hanley Benjamin. He attended primary school in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and was a cadet at the Cretin Military Academy before enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II as an artillery specialist in the 82nd Airborne. He earned both paratrooper and glider wings during his tour of duty. Following his discharge, he received a degree in printing technology and engineering under the GI Bill and started his 45-year career in the printing industry in 1947. He spent most of his career with Western Publishing Company, including over 30 years in Cambridge, Maryland. He was the manager for the Cambridge plant for many years, as well as the Sales Manager for the Commercial Sales Division, and he finished his career as vice president of Western Publishing's Cartech, Inc.
Jim considered Cambridge as his adopted home and was very active in the community and civic affairs. His activities included serving as an honorary Life Member and Commander of the Dorchester American Legion Post 91, Commodore of the Cambridge Yacht Club, President and founding member of the Grand National Waterfowl Association, President of the Grand National Educational Trust, President of the Dorchester County Heart Association, President of United Fund of Dorchester County, member of the Board of Directors of the Dorchester County Hospital, member of the Maryland Wildfowl Commission, member of the commissioning committee for the USS Maryland, and a member of the Wor-Wic College Advisory Board.
Jim had numerous hobbies including golfing, hunting, fishing, boating, woodworking, and antique auto restoration. He was also a licensed pilot and charter member of the Ramsey Skydivers Club.
Jim married Patricia Brown, also of St. Paul, Minnesota in 1945. They were the loving parents to three children. Patricia, a son Patrick, his parents, and an older brother preceded him in death. He has been married to Jacqueline Jones Benjamin since 2002. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline (Jackie); two children, James, Jr. (Texas) and Becky (Florida) and their spouses Carolyn Benjamin and Butch Cox; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a cousin and lifelong friend Fr. George Welzbacher (Minnesota).
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Grand National Educational Trust (Cambridge, Maryland), the Dorchester Legion Post 91, or the Patricia Benjamin Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund at Texas A&M University (Texas A&M Foundation, College Station, Texas).