ROBERT JOHN BENWELL
Robert John Benwell, of the City of Ottawa, died on the 6th of June, 2024, at May Court Hospice in Ottawa.
Robert was born on the 7th of March, 1940, to Lawrence and Ludy Benwell (née Fitzgerald), in Campbellton, New Brunswick.
Robert worked in his home town of Campbellton before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1964. He spent ten years in the RCAF, with postings in Quebec, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Ontario, before his final posting in Ottawa. He left the RCAF in 1974 and went to Carleton University in Ottawa, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1979. Robert then joined the Public Service of Canada, where he stayed until his retirement in 1995.
Robert Benwell married the love of his life, Mary Ruth Benwell, on the 27th of August, 1966, and in the ensuing 57 years ("62 with the wind chill") was the loving father of three children: Jason Benwell, Jane Kelly, and Amanda Benwell.
Robert is survived by his wife, Mary Ruth Benwell; his son, Jason Benwell; his daughter-in-law, Janice Ma; his daughter, Jane Kelly; his son-in-law, Jim Kelly; his daughter, Amanda Benwell; his son-in-law, Hassan Harb; his granddaughter, Katherine Benwell; his grandson, Nicholas Benwell; his granddaughter, Maya Harb; and his grandson-to-be!
Robert is also survived by his brothers, Byron Benwell and Maynard Benwell.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Ludy Benwell; his brother, Austin Benwell; his brother, Eric Benwell; his sister, Beulah King; his sister, Myrtle Kierstead; and his brother, Grancil Benwell.
There will be a memorial mass on the 29th of June at 11:00am at Divine Infant Church, 6658 Bilberry Drive, in Orleans, with a reception to follow in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by mail to May Court Hospice, 114 Cameron Ave, Ottawa, K1S 0X1; or by phone at 613-260-2906