Michael Joseph Benoit

Michael was kind to everyone. His childlike smile and laughter brought joy to all who knew him. Even among his friends, he was referred to as “our sweet boy.”

Born April 15, 1995, Michael was part of a deeply loving and close family. Growing up in the same shore house as his cousins, he surfed, swam, rested in the hot sand, competed in swim team, joined L.I.T., lifeguarded, biked around the island, and shared family meals with them.

He graduated from Chapman University in 2021 with a degree in TV Production and Writing, passionate about movies and TV and enjoying life in Los Angeles. After living on the West Coast for several years, he moved back to our shore house last year to be closer to family.

Michael made a difference in children’s lives as a well-loved paraprofessional, being a great friend to kids who needed one. He was so kind and patient with them.

Michael’s closest friends would always be his cousins and the friends he grew up with on LBI.

Michael is survived by his mother and father, Anne and David Benoit; his brother and sister-in-law, David and Cassie; his beloved nephew, James; his grandmother, Marion Zetkulic; aunts and uncles, Tom, Marygrace, Joe, Robin, Jack, Nancy, Jimmer, Betty Ann, and Brian; and so many cousins who loved him like a brother, Anna, Emily, her husband Joel, Grace, her husband Gary, Rachel, Suzanne, her husband Bob, Joey, Matthew, Katie, Patsy, Annie, Will, Jacob,Grace, and Joy. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Willow, and his dog cousins who were so important to him, Rue and Juno.

We will always feel his presence on the beach he loved and grew up on—the same beach he lifeguarded as a teenager and young adult. We will see him in the waves when the sandbar and surf are good.

If a dog was around, you could always find Michael snuggled up with them. His immense love of dogs brought him peace and happiness. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his memory to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, guidingeyes.org, an organization that trains seeing eye dogs.

A visitation will be held at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, located at 703 Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753, on January 7, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A service will follow at the same location on January 7, 2026, starting at 6:30 pm.