HOLYOKE: Gifford Ian Benjamin, 62, (1959-2021)
of County Road passed away Wednesday at home. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 23, 1959. He was a graduate of Westfield High School and lived most of his life in Westfield and Southwick. Giff worked as an Inspector for the Pratt and Whitney Wood Group in Bloomfield for over 33 years. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran where he served as a Medic. He was well known for his quick wit and sense of humor. He was a motorcycle and sports car enthusiast. He also was great lover of all animals.
He was the beloved father of Amber Walters and her husband Jeremiah of Granby, CT, devoted son of Beverly (McCarl) Benjamin of Westfield and the late Ralph Benjamin, loving companion of Janet Berube with whom he lived, caring brother of Bonnie Bishop and her husband (Keith) of Holyoke, Bill Benjamin of Westport, NY, and Daniel Benjamin and his wife Jeanne of Springfield, and he was formerly married to Alicia Hadden. He also leaves his two grandchildren who were the light of his life, Roselyn and Merek Walters.
There will be a Private Committal Service at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. The family will be planning a Celebration of Life for Giff which will be scheduled at a later date. Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home has been entrusted with all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gifford’s name may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611. For more information please visit www.toomeyobrien.com.
