Ronald R. Benoit, Jr.

Ronald R. Benoit, Jr

1956- 2017

HADLEY:  Ronald Robert Benoit, Jr, 61, passed away on December 19, 2017 at his home in Hadley, Massachusetts. He was born in Holyoke, MA, the son of Ronald R. Benoit and Ruth Fleming Hansell.

A beloved father and son, Ron made the best of a difficult life. Born with cerebral palsy, he was wheelchair-bound and nonverbal throughout his life. With the help of some very special people, he was able to maximize his ability to communicate with word boards, and later in life with a computer that gave him the ability to put his own thoughts into words. His ability to communicate with his eyes and facial expressions was always uncanny, and his smile was heartwarming and contagious. He maintained a small business filling vending machines and selling snacks. He was an author, publishing his autobiography, and an artist – a painter of abstract works with a focus on scenery, which brought him inspiration. Undoubtedly, his proudest accomplishment in life was being a father and grandfather.

He is survived by his son Andrew J. Benoit, daughter-in-law Ilgim, and grand-daughter Sylvana Ronnie Benoit, his son Joseph R. Benoit, his mother Ruth Hansell and stepmother Judy Benoit (Broeker) and his sisters Tracy Benoit and Donna Porter (Hansell). He is predeceased by his father, Ronald R. Benoit Sr, grandparents Thomas and Ethel Fleming, and his Uncle John Fleming.

A graveside service was held on December 23, 2017 at Forestdale Cemetery. Special thanks to all Ron's friends, family, and professionals that helped him live a fulfilling and inspiring life.

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