|
Barry Benjamin JULY 27, 1950 – DECEMBER 7, 2022
IN THE CARE OF Rose Hill Funeral Home & Burial Park
Barry Benjamin age 72 of Cuyahoga Falls passed away Wednesday, December 7th 2022.
Barry was born on July 27th 1950 to the late Bernard and Sherrie Benjamin. He grew up in the Cleveland Heights/University Heights area. Barry was proud of his family and their accomplishments. His father and Uncle Paul owned Wade Drug on Euclid and Mayfield near University Circle. His maternal grandfather owned the Flat Iron Cafe in the Flats for many years. Barry loved sports. He played baseball when he was young. In college, at Carnegie Mellon where he obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees, he was the star quarterback on his fraternity intramural team. Upon graduation, he continued playing touch and flag football for the next thirty years, earning numerous trophies and awards. Thanksgiving was always spent in a city hosting a tournament such as Columbus, Buffalo or Chicago. Barry also excelled at softball playing for a number of top teams in the Cleveland/Lake County area including time playing for the professional traveling softball team the Cleveland Jaybirds. He particularly enjoyed traveling to St. George, Utah every October to play in the Huntsman Senior Games. Barry continued to play softball up until Wednesday, December 7th when he collapsed after hitting practice. Barry loved football, softball and his family. He is survived by his wife Karen, his biggest fan and partner for 35 years; his son Brett of Hudson with whom he shared his love of sports and visiting breweries, Brett’s wife Courtney, his daughter Anna-Marie (2.5) and daughter Scarlett (5 weeks); his daughter Alyssa of Hudson who shared his playful sense of humor, Alyssa’s husband Ben Anderson, and their children Penelope (5), Levi (4), and James (10 months). Barry’s grandchildren adored their “Grumpy”. Barry is also survived by his brother Jack and wife Michelle of Grove City and their children and grandchildren. There will be a celebration of life gathering on Sunday, December 11th from 4:30-6:30 pm at the Sheraton in Cuyahoga Falls, 1989 Front St. The funeral service will be private.
|
Gary Polster
I spent a great deal of time with Barry from 7th grade on. We played every sport we could and we respected each other' game. We would play one on one swift-pitch and basketball against each other. He was one of the brightest guys that I was fortunate enough to know. A great many of my young memories have Barry in them. I was privileged to know him.
Gary Polster
Michael Resnick
I am sad to hear of Barry's passing. I knew Barry very well during our time at Taylor Elementary. As I recall, we were in the same class from 1st through 6th grade. He was a standout athlete even at an early age and I would regularly go over to his house to play catch, football, and running bases. He could throw a regulation and peewee football farther than anyone in the class and so he became the designated QB during recess. I also remember what a smart and excellent student he was. My condolences to his family. I'm sure he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Mark Benjamin
Barry and I met at Wiley in 7th grade. Back in those days of alphabetical seating in many classes, it goes without saying that I sat behind Barry for hours on end! Aside from time in the same classroom, though, I spent hundreds of hours with Barry at his home and mine, and on various ball fields, throughout our years at Wiley and Heights, and then thousands more over the next four years at Carnegie-Mellon U., where we lived, ate and played together in the same fraternity. As indicated in the obituary and in other comments on this site, Barry was a passionate and incredibly skilled athlete. In addition to his talent, he was a true sportsman, by which I mean he always had a deep respect for the game and his opponents, and thereby earned their respect as well.
Although I didn’t get the chance to reconnect with Barry in person in the past many years, everything in the obituary suggested that he remained throughout his life the friend whom I knew and cherished in my youth and early adulthood. I’m really glad that we at least connected over email last year. He will always remain a touchstone for me as I remember some of the happiest and most carefree days of my life.
I’m sure Barry's loss leaves a huge hole in the lives of his immediate and extended families, but I trust that the memories of many happy occasions will fill that emptiness over time. I offer them my sincere condolences.
Jim Weiss
I was so sorry to hear about Barry's passing. Like all those who knew him, I remember Barry as an excellent athlete and lover of sports. I recall the times I pitched against him in Little League and how difficult an out he was, the days we played Home Run Derby behind Belvoir School and going to the then Indians baseball games. Those memories are some of the best of my childhood. My condolences to his family. You will be missed.
James (Jim) Morell
Like the above comments, I remember playing baseball with Barry in the summer league at Heights. He was a great teammate and good baseball player. Our practices and games were always fun, both made for great summers. It was good see Barry kept playing until the end. Rest in Peace and condolences to his family.
Glenn Gimbut
Rest in peace Barry. My condolances to his family. From a reading of the obituary, he had a full and wonderful life.