Edward G. Benz, 88, longtime Orleans resident, died peacefully at home on Monday, December 6, 2021 after a brief illness. Born in Arlington, Massachusetts to Edward and Anna (O’Brien) Benz, Ed grew up in Belmont and graduated from Harvard University in 1954. After graduation, Ed spent two years in the U.S. Army as a medic. Having spent blissful childhood summers in Eastham where his parents ran the Wentworth Acres Cottages, Ed decided to make Cape Cod his full time home in 1957. He met Nancy Manfredi that summer and they married and eventually settled in Orleans. The National Park Service had recently purchased the Salt Pond Motel in Eastham and the Nauset Knoll Motor Lodge in Orleans. On a whim, Ed bid on and won the management rights to both motels in 1963. He ran Salt Pond Motel for 20 years and Nauset Knoll for 55 years, finally hanging up his cap at age 85. The motels were a labor of love for Ed, who for years did all the maintenance and was the kind and welcoming face behind the desk. Most of Nauset Knoll’s guests returned every year, eager to experience the rustic charm of the 12-room lodge perched on the Atlantic Ocean, and Ed treated them all like family. Ed also indulged his passion for real estate over the years by developing numerous properties in the Lower and Outer Cape with his friend and business partner, Brooks Thayer, Sr.
Ed was a devoted and loving husband and father, and a loyal and generous friend. He enjoyed reading, traveling the world, spending time with his family and friends and following his beloved Boston sports teams. He was a member of the Orleans Yacht Club and St. Joan of Arc Church, and donated his time and talents to numerous local organizations. Ed’s guiding principle was kindness, and he quietly led by example every day with humility and grace. He was the epitome of a perfect gentleman and enriched the lives of all who knew him. Ed is survived by his devoted wife, Judy Baker Benz, and was predeceased by his loving wife, Nancy Benz. He is also survived by his children, Alison Benz Czuchra and her husband Bert of Orleans, and Edward G. Benz, Jr. and his wife Amy of Orleans, four grandchildren, Andrew and Ben Czuchra and Haley and Georgia Benz, his stepdaughters, Lory Myerson and her husband Rob Bender, and Tracy Myerson, and his step-grandchildren, Jesse and Zach Bender. He also leaves his sister, Muriel Benz Smith, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Douthart.
A visitation will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans on Friday, December 17, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Cape Outreach Council, 19 Brewster Cross Road, Orleans, MA 02653. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com
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Lower Cape Outreach Council19 Brewster Cross Road, Orleans, MA 02653
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