Benjamin W. Dempsey Sr.

Benjamin William Dempsey Sr. was born in Waterbury, CT to Edward J. and Dorothy A. Dempsey on December 18, 1936. Benjamin grew up in Waterbury, Madison, and Plymouth, Connecticut. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne E. Dempsey; and will be lovingly remembered by his children Ila Culliton of Chesapeake, Virginia, Bruce W. Dempsey of Wayland, Michigan, Chris Dempsey of Ludlow, Massachusetts, and Andrew (Andy) Dempsey of Breckenridge, Colorado; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Benjamin attended high school at Union Springs Academy, Union Springs, New York, graduating in 1955. He joined the US Navy August 30, 1955, followed by Boot Camp and Hospital Corps school at Bainbridge, Maryland in May of 1956. As a Hospital Corpsman he initially served at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In November of 1957, as an HM3 he reported aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex CV 9, attaining the rank of HM2 in June of 1958. The Essex was operationally deployed in July of 1958 during the first Lebanon crisis, and again in September of 1958 in the Taiwan Straits via the Suez Canal. Benjamin then married Joanne E. Gallop on November 29, 1958. He was discharged from the Navy on August 29, 1959.

Benjamin went to work at National Blank Book Co. in September of 1959, remaining with the company through its various mergers (Dennison National, Dennison Stationery Products, Avery Dennison). After 37 plus years, he retired in 1996. He worked at Sears for nine years in the Tool department.

We wish Ben "fair winds and following seas."

The family welcomes memories and messages in their online guest book at www.cookcares.com.