John J. “Junior” Benzi, Jr., 93, of the Hilldale section of Plains, passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Born in the Hilldale section of Plains, he was the son of the late John and Clelia (Leonardi) Benzi, Sr.

John was a 1945 graduate of Plains Memorial High School and served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1950, serving aboard the USS Waxsaw – AH 91. He resided in Hilldale for most of his life.
Prior to his retirement, John worked as a millwright for Construction Unlimited at Proctor & Gamble, Mehoopany, PA and previously at Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Berwick, PA. He was a member of the Plains Rotary Club and The Wyoming Valley Barbershop Harmony Chorus.

John was a handy-man and jack of all trades who owned just about every tool or piece of equipment to build, install and/or fix just about anything. He was always willing to use his skills and knowledge to help his family and friends and especially, to teach what he knew. He had a curious mind, embraced new technology and never stopped learning or asking questions.

John had many varied interests throughout his life. He loved to sing with the Barbershoppers, watch YouTube tutorials, do woodworking, play golf, dance to Big Band Music, do crossword puzzles, make homemade Ravioli and Cappelletti for his family and watch the New York Yankees (win or lose). He loved to sketch and color with his great grandchildren and watch them and his grandchildren play sports. He was an avid storyteller with a quick wit and a great sense of humor.
Most of all, John loved his family unconditionally and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He adored his great-grandchildren and proudly showed their pictures and spoke of their accomplishments and antics to all he met.

John was preceded in death by his brother Elmo Benzi, sister Thelma Baluta, and infant sisters Marie and Thelma.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Margaret (Chernosky) Benzi, daughter Janet Kashuda and her husband Gerard, Plains; daughter Donna Tasselmyer and her husband David, West Pittston; and his brother Leonard Benzi, Plains. He is also survived by his grandchildren Janelle Kashuda and her partner Jack Rothenbecker, Laflin; Krista Evanofski and her husband Charlie, Kingston; Lauren Salvatore and her husband Brandon, Pittston; Gerry Kashuda, Jr. and his wife Alyssa, Wyoming; and great-grandchildren Aubrey, Taylor, Chase, Kyla, Camryn and Anthony and many nieces and nephews.

John’s family gratefully acknowledges Dr. Mark Schiowitz and the nurses in the Surgical ICU at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for the exceptional and compassionate care that they provided to John. The family would also like to thank Dr. John Citti, Kingston, for providing John many years of personal and attentive care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 23, 2021 at 10:00 am at Saints Peter & Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains, PA 18705, with Father John C. Lambert, Pastor, officiating. Family and friends may call Friday morning from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at church. Those attending the visitation and/or funeral mass, we ask that you be brief when paying your respects, please follow the practice of social distancing, and masks are required at all times at church. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street, Plains, PA 18705.

Memorial donations can be made to the Plains Rotary Club, C/O Ben Berrini, 9 Birch Avenue Plains, PA 18705, in John’s memory.