Joseph John Beneducci, born May 22,1968 in Staten Island, New York to Joseph and Nancy Beneducci. He is the middle child of three and spent his childhood in Staten Island eventually moving to New Jersey when he was 10 years old.
Joe began his education in Staten Island at Our Lady Star of the Sea but when they moved, he continued his education in New Jersey. He attended North Hunterdon HS, he played soccer, basketball, and ran track. He attended college at Drew University and graduated with a Political Science degree. He was an incredible athlete: no matter what the sport, he was a natural. He served as Captain of the soccer team for his Junior and Senior year and played basketball as well. While juggling classes and sports, he also found time to work. He had an internship at Chubb Insurance Company which is where his career began. He valued his education, studied hard and was passionate while playing sports but he was always planning for his future.
Throughout his life, he had both the privilege and curiosity to travel to every continent except Antarctica with much of that traveling spent with what mattered to him most, his family. Joe loved any outdoor activity that he could be a part of including boating, fishing, golfing, running, cycling and skiing. The only thing in this world he disliked was sitting still. He also loved music and passed on the love of music to his children. It didn’t matter what genre it was, he loved it all. He was always tapping his feet, bopping his head around and even making up words when he didn’t know them.
Joe has been married to the love of his life, Bonnie Beneducci, for 33 years. He always would say that, without question, meeting his wife is the greatest thing that has ever happened in his life. Together they built a beautiful family with four children which was always his main priority. Everything he did in life was to protect and provide for his family all while loving them unconditionally. It was what drove him every day to set his goals higher and higher. The Beneducci family moved around a lot because of Joe’s constant achievement, but in every new city, new position, or new company he never missed a family holiday, activity, sports event, or milestone…no matter what. His mantra was “keep your compass true north” which was something that he impressed upon his family to always do the right thing, even in the shadow of uncertainty. Joe always had his compass set on his family and helping others.
When Joe became President and CEO of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, he wanted to get back to the roots of the Founding Mission which was to donate a percentage of the profits to widows and orphans of fallen firefighters. This mission had a special place in his heart since his father was a New York City firefighter. As always, Joe took a proactive approach and encouraged employees and agents to be a part of this program, and he hoped that it would have an increased impact on the company and the people around him. The Heritage Program was born, and it was a true testament to Joe’s ability to help others. He truly lived life to the fullest and encouraged others to do the same. His infectious enthusiasm and unwavering confidence is what made him so fit to lead by example. He knew that by living his life with honesty and integrity, it would positively impact everyone around him. He always found great joy in helping people succeed and accomplish things that sometimes even they did not know they were capable of.
Joe was always ready to work hard and see things different, Joe ultimately started his own company, ProSight Specialty Insurance, that he and his carefully assembled team eventually took public on the New York Stock Exchange. Anyone that knew him could appreciate the fact that it was never the company’s success that Joe focused on, it was always the team and the culture they created together that made him most proud.
However, it was not ProSight that truly made his life whole. While the lessons, experiences and memories he had at ProSight were an incredible benchmark in his story, his life was truly complete when he founded Altruis Group alongside his family; a poetic dream fulfilled that took 51 years to create. As a true builder would, building a company with his family was all he wanted in life. He and his family decided to name the company Altruis Group. As an Altruist is defined by one unselfishly devoted to the welfare of others before their own, it was the perfect name to carry on the Beneducci family value of putting others before yourself that Joe cultivated.
Joe is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his four children Joseph, Jason, Jared and Jessica; his parents, Joseph and Nancy Beneducci; his brother, Gary and his wife Megan; his sister Renee Jenkins and her husband Mike. He is also survived by his father and mother-in-law, Jack and Sherry Ethridge; brother and sister in-law, Rick and Gina Ethridge; brother-in-law Brad Ethridge.
He will be remembered as a devoted, unique, seemingly larger than life, leader, husband, father, son, brother, uncle and most importantly, a friend to all that knew him. His legacy is to help others, and that dream and passion will live on through Altruis Group. Joe’s radiant positivity and energetic spirit lives on through the impact he has made on all that had the gift of knowing him. He would say we have to live our lives as best we can, with honesty in our hearts, integrity in our minds and love in our souls. This perfect combination allows us to live an incredible life with NO REGRETS.
We only get one life so keep your compass true north and live your life with NO REGRETS!
In lieu of flowers and gifts, please consider donating to The Brain Tumor Foundation as the Beneducci Family will continue to raise money for charity to combat this horrible disease.
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