Joseph (Joe) Raymond Benzie, Jr. was born in Marquette, Michigan on June 18, 1951 and died at age 72 on September 14, 2023 in Lansing, MI.
Joe grew up in Bad Axe, MI. He attended Central Michigan University earning his Bachelor’s in Education and Masters in Arts. Joe was a proud resident of Bath Township for over 40 years. Joe was a member of the Sons of the American Legion for 33 years. Joe dedicated his life to being a servant leader, always seeking to make his community better. Working as the school librarian at Okemos High School, Joe empowered students in their learning and teachers in the classroom. Through his work at the Michigan Education Association Financial Services he helped others ensure their financial future. For over thirty years Joe served Bath Township in a variety of roles most recently as Trustee.
In 1982 Joe married Mary Elizabeth (Gray) Benzie. They raised three daughters together in their home on Park Lake. Joe was an avid outdoorsman. Throughout his life he enjoyed fishing and hunting with his friends & family. Joe’s passion for fishing and hunting led him to Alaska, Canada & the Dry Tortugas. Joe cherished the time he spent with his daughters including many camping trips, and relished the days Alise and Anne would spend with him bobbing around in a boat, or sitting in a cold blind on the opening day of deer season. Joe loved taking Amanda to MSU hockey games where they would eat ice cream sandwiches while cheering on the team. Joe adored his dogs; he would sneak whatever he was eating to them under the table.
In his later years, Joe found happiness with his second wife Julie (Webb) Benzie. They enjoyed traveling together cruising the Caribbean, live entertainment in Branson, Missouri, and spending time in Harbor Springs, MI at their chalet. Together they shared four grandsons who they enjoyed visiting and spoiling. Being a grandpa came naturally to Joe. He especially loved sneaking the boys a treat in plain sight of their parents and saying “shh don’t tell” as they snickered.
Joe is survived by his wife, Julie (Webb) Benzie, daughter Amanda (Jordan) Moellendick, their two boys Gabriel and Isaac; Alise Benzie (Mike McDonnell), Anne Benzie, his step-daughter Katie (Tom) Stafford, their two boys, Billy and Danny, step-son Blaine Elliott, and his beloved mother Josephine Benzie.
Joe was predeceased by his father Joseph Raymond Benzie Sr.
His family wishes to extend a special thanks to the dedicated staff of Sparrow Hospital and Frensius East Lansing who made up his care team.
Funeral services for Joe will be held at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823 on September 23, 2023 at 1:30 for a visitation, followed by a 2 PM celebration of life with lunch to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in memory of Joe to the Bath Township Public Library https://www.bathtownshippubliclibrary.org/how-do-i/copy_of_pay-fees-donate-to-the-library-make-payment-on-the-community-room or The Bath Sons of the American Legion Squadron 412, 5480 Clark Rd. Bath,MI 48808.
Our thanks to Paul Bennett for notification.