Mr. Rene Gerard Benoit

Born in Acushnet, a son of the late Roland and Rolande (Guillotte) Benoit, he was a lifelong area resident. He was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Parish.

A graduate of Holy Family High School, Rene later enlisted in the United States Army and served in Germany. He was the owner of the New Bedford Wire and Iron Works and he was a member of the Sacred Hearts, the Lions Club and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was a coach at the CYO in Acushnet and faithfully gave to the Medical Mission Sisters in Philadelphia.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Brian Espinola and his partner Guy LaRock of New Bedford and Jay Espinola and his wife Amber of Bowling Green, Kentucky; two daughters, Melissa Buell of Fairfax, CA and Faith Brady and her husband Nate of Pomona, CA; three sisters, Jeannette Gembala and her husband Stanley of Manchester, CT, Lorraine Telo of Hyannis and Denise Benoit and her husband George Touchstone of Cambridge; a brother, Henry Benoit and his wife Julie of New Bedford; four grandchildren, Elsie, Madison, Maya and Luke and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was the brother of the late Leo Benoit.

The family would like to specifically thank Dr. Rabin and his oncology team at Dana Farber as well as Dr. Martin and Hope Hospice for their wonderful care and support.

His Memorial Mass will be held on July 29, 2017 at 10AM at St. Mary’s Church, Tarkiln Hill Rd., New Bedford. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or www.dana-farber.org. For online tributes or directions: www.rock-funeralhome.com