Ronald James Irving Benoit

Ronald Benoit, 88, of Montville, drew his last breath at home on November 9, 2023 after 20 years of fighting for each breath due to COPD. He died as he lived, on his own terms, with no regrets, and beyond all expectations.

Ron, or “Ronnie” as he was often called, was born in Hartford in 1935 to Rosario and Susan Benoit, and was raised along with his brother and sister in various locations between Putnam, Willimantic, and Rice City Rhode Island, as a depression era child of a single mother. He learned to hunt, fish, and farm at a young age, and spent time in homes with no electricity or hot water the way some of us remember the lack of internet. This set the tone for his resourcefulness, determination, and work ethic later in life.

Ron served in the Navy between 1952 and 1961, having attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was commissioned onto the USS Gwin, a destroyer, and was deployed to the South Pacific during the Korean war before returning to teach Weapons Firing Control school in Maryland. Subsequent to his military service, Ron worked for a few different employers until he finally began his civilian career at NUSC, where he led large teams working on low-frequency sonar projects until his retirement. During his time at NUSC, he was stationed in different locations globally including Honolulu, where he met and married his wife, Edith.

Ron enjoyed helping people, and having a positive impact on their lives. He relished spending time with his many nieces, nephews, his son, and son’s friends in activities that would help them later in life. A true Yankee, he considered chores or work as an activity, and was always willing to lend a hand fixing or building something as long as you took an interest and were willing to learn from the experience yourself. Ron was the local Scoutmaster for many years, as well as a volunteer at the Montville Senior Center. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, botany, crosswords, and tinkering. A believer in accountable leadership, he valued character over credit, and respected those with skills over those with titles.

Many will remember him fondly for his story telling ability. Ron had a talent for recounting not only his own adventures but those of his ancestors. Just enough of the fantastic details contained within each story have been verified that we will never know how much of these stories to believe.

He was predeceased by his older brother, Donald. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years Edith, of Montville, his sister Judith Kolesinsky, of Willimantic, his son John and daughter in law, Julieta, of Concord, MA, and his three grandchildren Santiago, Sophia, and Lucia. He is also survived by his sister-in law Estelle, of Plainfield, as well as by his many loving nieces and nephews, extended family, and the family friends whom he simply considered family.

Services will be held on Sunday, November 19, at 4PM, with calling hours 2-4PM, at the Montville Funeral Home of Church & Allen, located at 53 Norwich New London Tpke. Interment will take place the following Friday at a private family cemetery in Rice City.