Harry Benjamin

With Harry, “you always knew where he was coming from.” No matter the topic, Harry would tell it like it is from his perspective – “no if, ands or buts about it”. He would be able to tell you “what it all boiled down to” and typically you wouldn’t want to be a “cockroach”! Harry lived his life exactly as he wanted. He traveled the world, but was always looking forward to returning home. Harry will be remembered for his strong work ethic, long work hours, and the ability to unwind in his own entertaining way. He was a patriot who was proud to call himself an American. A blessing in the lives of his loved ones. Harry will be deeply missed while his memory will remain a priceless treasure in the lives of those he leaves behind.

The daily lives of Americans during the thirties was anything but easy due to the unrelenting grip of the Great Depression. With an unemployment rate above 25 percent jobs were in the forefront of the minds of countless families who were struggling just to make ends meet. Things just went from bad to worse when a devastating drought inflicted more strain on an already crippled agricultural industry throughout the mid-thirties. Despite the hardship around them, a young couple from Plymouth, Michigan, was filled with unspeakable joy to welcome a healthy baby boy into their hearts and home on June 13th. Harry was the youngest of three boys born to his parents, Harry and Merle (Cobleigh) Benjamin, and was raised in the family home alongside his brothers, Robert and William. His father worked as a stockbroker while his mother was a RN who also focused her attention on raising their bustling brood of boys.

Nicknamed “Babe” by his mother, Harry experienced a childhood that was reflective of the times. He attended local schools including Plymouth High School where he was class president and head of the prom committee. The sparkle of his blue eyes made him “idol of the girls”.

After graduating in 1951 Harry earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University in 1955 – amongst the first class to graduate from the new Michigan State University, formerly Michigan State College. After MSU, Harry joined the Army finance Corps as an accountant. He was fond of calling himself a “trained killer in the finance corps”.

With his sights set on a successful career and armed with an accounting degree, Harry joined Ernest and Ernest in Detroit after his honorable discharge from the Army. Later, moving to Kalamazoo, Harry took a cut in pay, and joined Wm. C. Roney & Co. becoming a stock broker. Working his way up to branch manager, and ultimately a member of the firms management committee. Harry was instrumental in the sale of Roney & Co. to First Chicago NBD in 1997-8, ultimately becoming Raymond James and Associates. Harry’s focus in business was to take care of your clients first.

While he was busy establishing his career Harry was thrilled to meet the woman with whom he would share the best years of his life. Her name was Mary Kay Thomson and a dating relationship quickly ensued. About one year later the couple became husband and wife on August 22, 1959, in the First United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo.

The newlyweds settled in Kalamazoo where they adjusted to new lives together beautifully. It wasn’t long before the couple discovered they would become parents, and in 1961 they were blessed with their son, Bob. He was later followed by their son, Tom, in 1964, who completed their family of four. Harry was a typical father in many ways who took his role as the provider of the family very seriously as his wife stayed home to raise their boys. There were so many special times in the Benjamin family including the holidays that Mary always beautifully arranged and carried out while Harry was the one who financed it all. There were also fun-filled trips to Florida each year to see his parents and brothers.

Through the years there were numerous things that Harry enjoyed. He loved getting together with his friends and was the life of the party wherever he went. Whether it was in Saugatuck, Scottsdale, Kalamazoo, or traveling abroad. Harry was a huge dog lover, always wanting to know “how is dog”. He regarded all dogs as lap dogs - even the ones that weighed over 100 pounds! As an avid golfer he was on the board at Kalamazoo Country Club, and the family spent a lot of time there as well. In fact, Harry loved golfing throughout his life, although you would never be able to tell by his swing! He was a WWII buff who enjoyed scale models, reading historical works and watching the History Channel. Harry loved cars and would typically change every two years as his eye wondered. Together with his wife he travelled much of the world including all over Europe and throughout the Mediterranean region as well as to the Caribbean and Hawaii. Although he loved seeing new places, Harry was always anxious to get back home, too. He loved playing gin, and drinking it, too, and he also enjoyed a good scotch and celebrating with a Bloody Mary on holidays.

There were so many things that made Harry truly unique. “And the thing of it is”…he was very clean and organized, even meticulous when it came to tending to the office, home or garage. It also doesn’t come as a surprise that his cars were always clean and filled with gas. Harry could come across as gruff, but he could also be funny at the drop of a hat. He could be ornery, but his bark was always bigger than his bite.

During his sunset years Harry faced some challenges that greatly affected his daily life. His health began declining in 2004, and in June of 2007 he retired. Although he was delighted when his family grew to include grandchildren, Harry was deeply saddened to say goodbye to his wife in May of last year.

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Harry Benjamin lived a life that leaves a lasting impact on the hearts of his family and friends. He was a man of great integrity and determination to succeed that provides us all with much to aspire for. Life will never be the same without Harry here, but the footprint he leaves behind will remain for years to come. “And that’s the whole ball of wax”!

Harry Benjamin died March 3, 2012, in Kalamazoo. Harry’s family includes his 2 sons: Robert Ross (Colleen) Benjamin and Thomas William (Julie) Benjamin; 5 grandchildren: Margaret Mary “Maggie,” John, Michael “Mickey,” Lexie and Chase Cobleigh; 2 sisters-in-law: Fran Thomson and Joyce Benjamin; close friend, Pam Valkema and many nieces and nephews. Harry was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kay Benjamin; 2 brothers: Robert and William Benjamin; and brother-in-law, Jack Thomson. Visitation will be Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 12noon – 1:00 PM with services starting at 1:00 PM at the will be held at the Life Story Funeral Home – Betzler. A reception will follow at the Kalamazoo Country Club. Please visit Harry’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo or sign his memory book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.