Stanley P. Benedict

Stanley Philip Benedict, 86 years old from Norwich, NY, passed away on May 6, 2026. He was born April 4, 1940, at Chenango Memorial Hospital son of Leland and Martha (Ireland) Benedict. More often known as Ben, he was raised in Norwich where his dad was a well-known musician in almost every church in Norwich. Mother Martha (Ireland) was a homemaker, crafter and daughter of Frank Ireland, Bennett Ireland Foundry.

Stan is survived by his sister The Rev. Dr. Beverly (Utter), now Su Schlagel of Vacaville, CA, her husband Henry and a Cousin Jean Raymond of the Raymond Corp in Greene, NY.

Stan was active in Boy Scouting, camping, and the National Conference in New Mexico. He was a volunteer Airplane watcher from the top of the Chenango County Hospital during the Korean War. His Scout leader gave him his nickname of “Ben. Quicker and easier to yell out over campfires.

He was a photographer and developed and printed his own films. Some local events such as fires were often featured in the Norwich papers.

Stan was a drummer and played in the Norwich High School band, the Norwich City band, the Smyrna Town Band and the Chenango County 4-H band.

Both parental Benedict and Ireland ancestors fought in the American Revolutionary War. It is recorded that his Ireland ancestor was also a drummer boy. Ben took flying lessons and sent his nephews, Jim and Dan, a card saying “Soloed”. They sent back asking if he had sent the card before or after.

Stan joined the United States Marine Corp shortly after High School, 1962-1966. He did his training at Camp Lejeune, NC and served 2 years, much of it in Viet Nam, as dental Asst., and driver for the Generals. He was honorably discharged in Los Angeles and stayed there enjoying the “no snow” life. He supported himself with his photography and odd jobs as he felt inclined.

A family emergency brought him back to New York State, and he remained here, again loving the wooded countryside. He cared for both of his parents until they passed. He will be buried in the Sylvan Lawn Cemetery, Greene NY with 6 generations, including his nephews. Ben never married, but made lifelong friends, including Jonathan Rex, in Iowa, John Carhart and Dan White. He planned to play a round of golf on his 100th Birthday. Sister Su is making reservations at the Holy Hill Lodge for a round with his Grandfather Frank Ireland. For we Know Ben is Well now, Whole now, and Home now. See you in the morning, Bro. Amen and Amen. Thanks for watching me, Big Brother.

PS I often asked over 500 funerals who would like to see waiting for them at the Gate. For Stan it was Grampa Frank Ireland. Ben’s first memory was trying to run by his Grampa, on the couch. Grampa would grab him and tickle him. “That’s my Boy”! First in over 5 generations. Frank died in 1942 a few months after I was born.