Joseph E. Benedict, Jr.

Born June 27th, 1946, to late US Naval Chief Joseph Benedict Sr. and late Marilyn Benedict (nee Coile), Joe grew up in a military household with his two younger sisters, Brenda Basnik (nee Benedict) (Jim Basnik) and Kathy Landon (nee Benedict) (late Michael Landon), before volunteering to join his beloved US Navy in 1964. Joe was assigned to the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and deployed for wartime duty in the South Pacific to service F4 Phantoms.

Following his honorable discharge in 1968, Joe returned to Cleveland and met Kathy Benedict (nee Schmidt). He then embarked on a lifelong duty station when they married in 1970 resulting in two daughters: Jennifer Waldron (nee Benedict) (Tim Waldron) and Jayme Benedict. Joe provided for his family as a successful salesman at Warwick Communications for 37 years and stayed heavily involved as an officer with the Lutheran West School Boosters for 20 years where he became a fixture at the school.

Over his 53 years of marriage to Kathy, Joe also loved Mandy, Baily, Holly, JJ, Tanner, Archie, Mavis, Elliot, Jesse, Bear, Shay, Wilson, Ruthie and even Amorosa Beyonce – the only cat in a house of dogs bequeathed to him by Jayme when she moved to Florida.

Joe dedicated the last two decades to Veterans. Joe presided over taking thousands of World War II, Korean and Vietnam Veterans in hundreds of flights to Washington D.C. as part of the Cleveland Honor Flight. Joe also served as Commander for Pulaski Post 30 of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, Treasurer of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #015 and Honor Guard for many years. Joe was honored to be named as Outstanding Veteran of the Year in 2017 by the Joint Veterans Council of Cuyahoga County and was inducted as part of the Class of 2019 into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

Joe’s last and greatest duty station was as “Pappa Joey” to his son-in-law Tim Waldron and his three beloved granddaughters: Gabriella, Kaylynn and Dagny who were each the apple of his eye.

Joe’s life ended the way he had lived it: Undaunting Courage, Commitment to Family and Honor for Veterans. His final days were filled with family and friends, stories and laughter and an inner peace given to him from his Creator.

Viewing and Visitation will be held on Saturday May 25, 2024 from 12pm to 2pm at The A. Ripepi & Sons, 18149 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, Ohio.

A celebration of Joe’s life will take place on Sunday May 26, 2024 from 12pm to 4pm at VFW 3345, 17900 Strongsville Blvd, Strongsville, Ohio.

Final resting place at a later date Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

All are welcome to toast Joe Benedict’s successful completion of his Tour of Duty and in achieving his American Dream.