Bruce Whitney Benson

Bruce Whitney Benson, 79, died Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veteran’s Hospital, Bedford, MA where he had been a resident for the past two years.

Bruce was born on August 25, 1942 in Somerville, MA to Charles and Elsie (Nelson) Benson.  His fondest memories were growing up in Andover near Harold Parker State State Forest where he nurtured his love of nature and the outdoors.  He loved to go camping in the White Mountains, sailing on his boat, or getting his hands dirty in the garden.  Anyone who knew him knew that his yard was his hobby. 

Bruce was a very generous man, always offering to help a neighbor or friend.  In fact, that is how he met his wife, Joyce.  They were neighbors in Andover and it was the blizzard of 1978 when he knocked on her door to ask if he could help get her car out of the snow.  By 1979 they were married, later making Methuen their family home.

Family was everything to Bruce.  His world revolved around his wife, his son, Scott, and daughter, Leigh.  And Bruce would never miss the opportunity to ask anyone he met if they ever heard of Benson’s Wild Animal Park because Bruce was so proud that it was his great uncle, John T. Benson, who started the park in Hudson, NH.

Bruce loved sports and closely watched the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots.  For many years Bruce volunteered as a marshal at the Bank of America Champions Golf Tournament  at the Nashawtuc Country Club.  His story that Arnold Palmer remembered him from year to year was a favorite.

Bruce served as an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force in Vietnam and then used those skills to develop turbine engines at General Electric in Lynn, MA, until he retired in 2001.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Joyce Cohen Benson, son Scott (Caitlin) Benson of Alhambra, CA, Leigh (Rich) Benson of Woburn, MA, grandchildren, Ellie and Owen in California and Joshua and Ryan in Woburn, dearly loved cousins Jean (Tom) Hart of Burlington, VT and David Benson of McKinney, TX, his niece Sarah Benson Rydecki and nephew Chad Benson, both of Michigan and brother in law Howard (Leslie) Cohen and their daughter Evyn of Utica, NY.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents, Charles Walker Benson and Elsie Vivian (Nelson) Benson, his brother Barry Walker Benson and his sister in law Lesley Butterworth Benson.

Bruce's family would like to thank all of the staff at the VA Hospital for the excellent care and compassion shown to the Benson family.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Bruce's memory to the Alzheimer's Association.

A private family graveside service will be held under the direction of Dewhirst and Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen, MA. 01844.  To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a special memory please visit www.dewhirstfuneral.com