Francis Richard "Dick" Benton, 77, passed away Monday, February 17 at his home in Inerness, FL.

He was born in Springfield, December 1, 1942.  He worked at Fellows Geqar Shaper there, moved on to Cone-Blanchard in Windsor, retiring from Bryant Grinder in Springfield in 2005.  After that, Dick fulfilled his longtime dream of moving to a home in Franklin overlooking Lake Cami.  He loved the lake.  He was an active and passionate member of the Cami watershed group and, in his later years, an outspoken advocate for a cleaner Lake Cami.

Visitors could often find him whistling across his lawn to sit on a bench and look out over the water.  He was a proud family man who took as much thrill from his children and grandchildren's accomplishments as they did. 

His father, Francis W. Benton, mother Leona M. (Plamondon) Benton, and brother Thomas Benton predeceased him.  His survivors include Cheryl, his wife of 58 years; one brother, Stephen of Charlestown, NH; three children, James Benton and his wife, Terri, of Ocala, FL, John Benton and his wife, Shannon of Springfield and Marie Wright and her husband Marc, also of Springfield; five grandchildren, Thomas Benton of St. Albans; Samuel Benton and his partner, Mareesa Miles also of St. Albans; Matthew Wright of Portland ME; Chrostopher Wright and partner Jasmine Goings of Shelburne and Owen Miller of Springfield. 

Dick did not want calling hours or services - just a private celebration of life for those who knew him.  That will be held this summer at the lake he loved.

From the Springfield Reporter 3 March 2020