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J. Peter Benzie, Jr., the most positive, thoughtful, and well-prepared man on this planet, passed away Nov. 1 at the age of 72.

We, his large and loving family, countless friends and acquaintances—and anyone he has ever met—were in no way ready to lose Peter Benzie.

He is preceded in death by parents, John Peter Benzie, Sr., and Dorothy Raynor Benzie, and sister Katherine Benzie Russell.

Peter is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Pam, of New York, New York, and his seven children, Carolyn Loverdi, Michael Benzie, Katy Moles, Matthew Benzie, Erin Benzie, Lauren Benzie, and Emma Benzie. He is also survived by sister Judy Rinda of Douglasville, Pennsylvania, brother and wife Jeff and Melanie Benzie of Birchrunville, Pennsylvania, and brother-in-law Bob Russell of Madison.

He was Poppy to 11 loving grandchildren: Alex, D.J., and Beth Loverdi; Zoe, Connor, and Mark Moles; Olivia, Jack, and George Benzie; and Millie and Mabel Benzie.

However, the list of people he loved as family—and who loved him in the exact same manner—extends on and on.

Peter Benzie was a loving family man, a true gentleman, a veteran, a teacher—a truly skilled and creative individual who could do anything and everything, and often did so before 7 a.m. He had an unwavering positive personality and quite simply, made people better.

Peter was born Jan. 12, 1948, in Bridgeport. After graduating Conestoga High School in Barwyn, Pennsylvania, Peter attended Providence College (’70) and graduated with a degree in business management, prior to serving the country as a First Lieutenant in the 8th Infantry Division of the United States Army.

Peter’s lifelong relationship with Providence was incredibly rewarding, and he found great joy in being such a valued member of that community. He served as trustee from 2009 to 2018, when he was deeply involved in the oversight of dozens of construction and campus transformation projects that beautified our campus and provided state-of-the-art academic and athletic facilities.

The college planned to award Peter with an honorary degree at the 2020 graduation ceremony, one of the highest honors bestowed. Because of the COVID pandemic, the ceremony was postponed. This honorary degree will be awarded posthumously when the graduation ceremony is able to be scheduled.

After the military, Peter first started a career building houses, and was always proud to show his family his first business card: Benzie Construction.

And, surprise, surprise, Peter was also good at building houses.

However, in the recession of the early 1970s, Peter thoughtfully transitioned from construction, and found a way to be good at something else, beginning a long and successful 45-year financial services career that started with roll-up-the-sleeves cold calls in a small brokerage office, ending with 15 meaningful years as an executive and global sales leader Broadridge Global Solutions in New York City.

Peter truly loved work, and throughout his career and life, he was incredibly successful while always supporting and mentoring others.

However, what Peter enjoyed most was exactly what he was doing, spending valuable, meaningful time with friends and family in Madison, sailing, boating, playing golf, working around the house, getting early morning Starbucks orders for all, and of course, making sure to take time to connect with and help everyone in his life.

And this was true throughout Peter’s life. Peter was a teacher, as well as a natural leader—a father, husband, grandfather, friend and gentleman in the truest, most literal sense of the word.

If you knew Peter Benzie, it’s very likely you were smiling. Because he definitely was.

A calling hours and a service will be held Thursday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. Swan Funeral Home in Madison. Due to COVID restrictions, the funeral will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to Providence College or Alzheimer’s Association.