Steve Benchat, of Millwood and formerly of Hastings and Yonkers, died peacefully on February 21, 2014 at the age of 67. A graduate of Hastings High School, he was a star football player and wrestler. In 2005 he was inducted into the Hastings Sports Hall of Fame. A Vietnam veteran, he proudly served his country in the US Air Force. A long time Giants and Yankees fan, his happiest moments were spent fishing with friends and his beloved Uncle Tony Pircio. Stephen was well loved by his family: sister, Jean (Tom) Hogan of Rhode Island, Lorraine (Karl) Wallin of Hobart, niece Terena Welesko, nephews William and Daniel Genshino, Karl and Stephen Wallin and his partner in life and love Marianne Thoma. Marianne and family wishes to thank Hospice of Phelps Memorial Hospital and the Dominican Sisters of Rosary Hill for their devoted attention as well as his personal angels, Peter Rudenko, Richard Kozel, Elizabeth Douglas, Sal Lovetto, John Zager and the Boland family. Without their selfless acts of kindness and love, we would never have made it through these dark days.
The closer we get to reunion, the more I am thinking about--and miss-- Steve. Steve never had email, so when reunion planning started, he would call me and chat. He really loved coming to the reunions, and found it very meaningful to reconnect with everyone.
In my HHS box of "stuff" I have some very sweet thank you notes that Steve wrote to me after every reunion. At (I think) the 30th reunion, we had a trivia quiz about Hastings, HHS, etc. and Steve won! He was really proud of the fact that he'd won it, and a couple of years later called to ask if I had a copy of the questions. He had his answer sheet, but not the questions.
He was a very kind man, who dealt bravely and stoically with his cancer for more than five years. I know he will be with us in spirit.
Jane Finkeldey (Stephenson)
Steve Benchat, of Millwood and formerly of Hastings and Yonkers, died peacefully on February 21, 2014 at the age of 67. A graduate of Hastings High School, he was a star football player and wrestler. In 2005 he was inducted into the Hastings Sports Hall of Fame.A Vietnam veteran, he proudly served his country in the US Air Force. A long time Giants and Yankees fan, his happiest moments were spent fishing with friends and his beloved Uncle Tony Pircio. Stephen was well loved by his family: sister, Jean (Tom) Hogan of
Rhode Island, Lorraine (Karl) Wallin of Hobart, niece Terena Welesko, nephews William and Daniel Genshino, Karl and Stephen Wallin and his partner in life and love Marianne
Thoma.
Marianne and family wishes to thank Hospice of Phelps Memorial Hospital and the
Dominican Sisters of Rosary Hill for their devoted attention as well as his personal
angels, Peter Rudenko, Richard Kozel, Elizabeth Douglas, Sal Lovetto, John Zager and
the Boland family. Without their selfless acts of kindness and love, we would never
have made it through these dark days.
Jane Finkeldey (Stephenson)
The closer we get to reunion, the more I am thinking about--and miss-- Steve. Steve never had email, so when reunion planning started, he would call me and chat. He really loved coming to the reunions, and found it very meaningful to reconnect with everyone.
In my HHS box of "stuff" I have some very sweet thank you notes that Steve wrote to me after every reunion. At (I think) the 30th reunion, we had a trivia quiz about Hastings, HHS, etc. and Steve won! He was really proud of the fact that he'd won it, and a couple of years later called to ask if I had a copy of the questions. He had his answer sheet, but not the questions.
He was a very kind man, who dealt bravely and stoically with his cancer for more than five years. I know he will be with us in spirit.