Bernard Alan Benjamin

Bernard Alan Benjamin was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 20, 1945. He was the son of Morris and Bertha Benjamin, and the brother to Mel and Lois. He graduated from Plainview High School in 1963 and then proceeded to graduate from Hofstra University with a Bachelor’s Degree in History, with the intent of becoming a History teacher. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted to serve in the United States Army on October 10, 1967. He received training as a Missile Repair Parts Specialist. He achieved the rank of E-5 Sargent, and was stationed in Korea during his time of service. At the age of 25, he was honorably discharged from the military. Shortly after leaving the army, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Bernie got married on September 11, 1974 and was father to two daughters, Melissa and Wendy, and was a devoted husband for 13 years.

During the years prior to his MS diagnosis, Bernie was known for many talents, one being his excellent guitar playing, and secondly, his keen eye for photography. He had a wonderful, dry sense of humor and many close family and friends recall memorable times filled with laughter and music.

Due to the progression of his illness, his latter years were more difficult. He resided at Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home for 14 years, in Charlotte Hall, MD. Though Bernie was a person of few words, he expressed a strong desire to help others with MS by donating his body to science. Despite the many ailments he had because of MS, he wanted to do something positive for others in the hopes that people could learn something more in their research about how to combat this disease.

Bernie is survived by his beloved family: his daughter Melissa, his son-in-law Sanjay, his daughter Wendy, his son-in-law Mike, his four grandchildren Brenton, Avi, Gavin and Sajan, his brother Mel, his sister-in-law Carol, his sister Lois and her partner Edwin.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting that donations be made to the National MS Society at www.nationalmssociety.org in honor of Bernard Benjamin