Robert Kojo Bentil was called to heaven on February 7, 2021. He was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa to Opahin James Kobina Bentil and Madam Serah Afua Begyam Pra-Awusie. He is survived by his wife Joyce Bentil and children: Benedicta Bentil, Monique Bentil, Lesley Bentil, Melissa Bentil, Stacy Bentil and Robert Bentil Jr.
In 1962, Robert Bentil began his life serving the Lord in a Catholic Community as a Mass server at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Ghana, West Africa. He worked as a secretary and served as an altar boy for Bishop Peter Sarpong in Kumasi. In 1973, Mr. Bentil enhanced his secretarial skills by entering into Government Secretarial Training School, where he obtained typewriting certification and was promoted to the administration level in Bishop Sarpong’s office.
In 1974, Mr. and Mrs. Bentil welcomed their first-born child Benedicta (Awura Abena). He was so excited to become a father and to start a family with a woman that he loved so deeply. However, he had plans for their future and within a few days of Benedicta’s arrival, he migrated to the United States. He resided in Worcester, Massachusetts before moving to Providence, Rhode Island, where he had two girls, Monique and Melissa. He enrolled at Johnson & Wales University while working at a plastic injection molding factory. He worked tirelessly to build a foundation that would assist him in reaching his goal in bringing his family to America. In 1981, he accomplished his goal, Mr./Mrs. Bentil moved to Houston, Texas, where Lesley and Stacy were born. He obtained employment at Baylor Company where he manufactured braking systems and generators. In 1987, Texas’s economy started to decline, so he uprooted his family to New Britain, Connecticut, in 1989 his only son Robert Bentil Jr. was born.
In 1991, Mr./Mrs. Bentil moved their family to East Hartford, CT and purchased a home where they raised their family. Mr. Bentil coached basketball, did community service work in town and was involved in extracurricular activities at his children’s school. Mr. Bentil worked as a machinist at Stanadyne Automotive Corporation in Windsor, CT. During his 20 years of service, he enjoyed working and learning about Stanadyne’s engines, fuel pumps and injector fuel. He also enjoyed going to work each day and surrounding himself with people who became life long friends.
In 1997, Mr. Bentil had a vision to open a Catholic ministry where Ghanaians could worship in their native language with friends and family. His vision and love for the lord led to the establishment of St. Mary’s Ghanaian Catholic Ministry in East Hartford. In 2007, during the 10th anniversary of Ghanaian Catholic Ministry, he was awarded and recognized as one of the founding members of the Ghanaian Catholic ministry. Mayor Melody Currey of East Hartford issued a proclamation, with her citizens as a witness, to congratulate Mr. Bentil for his contribution to the ministry and the Town of East Hartford.
In 2007, Mr. Bentil retired from Stanadyne and was excited to start the next phase in his life, surrounding himself with his grandchildren that he loved so dearly: Denzel, Chanel, Essence, Nigel, Niesiah, Nieron, Bria, Henry jr., Holland, Nylah, and Olivia. He enjoyed babysitting, buying toys, creating nicknames for them, and most of all making pancakes and “fufu,” his favorite dish. Mr. Bentil always looked forward to spending time with his family over the holidays, sharing laughs and memories at the dinner table is what he lived for.
Mr. Bentil loved photography, collecting calendars, and taking late night trips to the post office. He also enjoyed music and dancing, when he walked into a room his bright smile lit up the place. He always took time to greet every individual and was loved and respected by all. Robert Kojo Bentil will be missed but never forgotten. We look forward to the day when we will see him again.We Love you so much, God Bless. . Calling hours will be held Friday March 12, 2021 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home 318 Burnside Ave. East Hartford, CT. 06108. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday March 13, 2021 at 9:00am at St. Isaac Jogues 1 Community St. East Hartford, CT. 06108 Committal Service immediately following at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook go to www.NewkirkandWhitney.com
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