Roll Call Tribute

Leonard C. "Ben" Benedic 
October 12, 1930 - September 15, 2023 

Leonard C. "Ben" Benedic of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 15, 2023, at the age of 92. He was born on October 12, 1930, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Adelyn, and his siblings, Evelyn, Robert, Harry, Loraine, Ronnie, and Rosalyn.

After graduating from Roger Bacon High School, Ben joined the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Amarillo, Texas, where he met the love of his life, Betty Jo, who was in nursing school at the time. They married a few months later. After being strongly persuaded by his new bride that he was not to pursue owning a gas station but to attend college, Ben enrolled at Texas A&M University, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His career took them to California and then back to Cincinnati, where he retired from GE Aircraft Engines as a Quality Engineer.

Ben's favorite role was being married to Jo. They supported each other in their careers, including Jo's Fashion Two Twenty business and the ownership of Cincinnati Hair Design. They had two sons, David (Vicki) Benedic and Michael Benedic and one daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown. Ben often reminded his children that "the best gift a man can give his children is to love their mother." He did that well for 59 years and devoted himself completely to Jo's care as Alzheimer's dementia slowly took her from him over the last ten years of their marriage. As she passed away in his arms, he told her, "Aw, Betty Jo, you just put me out of work." He attended an Alzheimer's support group during that time and continued offering his experience to the group for years after her death. Ben had 11 grandchildren, Wes, Kristin, Grayden, Gwyneth, Melissa, Emily, Elizabeth, Nathan, Matthew, Alex and Tori, 14 great-grandchildren, Katie, Molly, Jamie, Madisen, Ruby, Owen, Oliver, Emory, Ivy, Nina, Noelle, Mary Lou, William and Callista Ann, and one great-great-grandson, Atlas, giving each one a nickname that he consistently used. Ben is also survived by numerous beloved nieces and nephews, granddaughters-in-law, and grandsons-in-law.

Ben taught CCD classes at Little Flower Church and served there with Jo as lay distributors. He volunteered at GE Talking Books and served as a lay distributor of communion and prayer at Good Samaritan Hospital. He enjoyed reading and working on his 1948 Packard convertible in his spare time, but protecting Thursdays as that was his "goof-off" day, when he would wear his "bachelor clothes." After a stroke, his final years were spent in the care of Ohio Living Llanfair, where he gained favor for apparently just being "so cute and sweet." The family thanks the Ohio Living staff for the tender care he received. "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Visitation will take place at Frederick Funeral home (2553 Banning Road) on Friday, September 22, 10:00 - 11:00am with Funeral service to follow at 11am at Frederick Funeral Home. The burial will be at St Mary's cemetery in St. Bernard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Tunnels to Towers Foundation at T2T.org. Special condolences may be expressed at frederickfh.com.