Obituary of Edward James Benjamin

Edward James Benjamin was born on August 12, 1948 in Kelowna, B.C. As a young boy he moved to Saskatchewan with his Auntie Mary, and then settled in Stettler, AB, with his mother Elizabeth Lagore in 1964. He graduated from William E. Hay High School in 1969 but continued to work at the Stettler Independent for a few years before getting a job at the Edmonton Journal. Edward left the newspaper and moved back to Stettler; worked for the bridge crew then went to work for Kellough Bros. During this time he married Joan Lyle and in January of 1985, his daughter Leslie Joan was born. In 1985 he started at Howard Marshall’s Construction and worked there until he was injured in 1991. Unable to go back to the workforce, he became a handyman taking any jobs he could to make ends meet. Edward enjoyed playing ball, shooting pool, playing crib and shuffleboard, socializing and exchanging jokes with everyone. He was also a Legion member for 19 years. Edward is survived by his daughter Leslie Benjamin (Rick Rakhara) of Calgary; his mother Elizabeth Lagore of Stettler; sister Elaine (Allen) Sharpe of Stettler; brothers Daniel (Audrey) Benjamin of Devon, Donald (Gail) Benjamin of Stettler and Ronald (Emily) Benjamin of Stettler; stepsister Blythe Slemp of Red Deer; stepbrother Tom Lagore of Stettler; nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends Funeral services were held at the Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Ross Helgeton officiating. Daughter Leslie Benjamin and his brother Daniel Benjamin gave loving family tributes and Monty Sommer gave the Eulogy. Several pieces of Ed’s favorite music was played. Honorary Pallbearers were his nephews Murray and Gordon Sharpe and Travis and John Paul Benjamin, his great nephew Brandon Sharpe and Leslie’s spouse Ricky Rakhara. Family and friends gathered in the Heartland Chapel for a time of fellowship and refreshments prepared and served by Dixie Orr and friends of the family. Memorial donations may be made to Alberta Diabetes Foundation, Alberta Cancer Foundation, to Heart Haven Lodge or a charity of choice.