Obituary of Louis J. Benz

Louis John Benz, a lifelong resident of Syracuse, NY passed away surrounded by family and friends while visiting Orlando, FL on November 29. He was 86. Lou was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Wanda for over 54 years, who he missed tremendously following her passing this past January. He was also a fantastic patriarch and the immediate family of children Kathi Krohl (Benz; husband David Krohl), Cheri Davenport (Benz, husband Mark Davenport), David Benz and Tami Benz (partner Tim Shuman) are all deeply saddened by his sudden and unexpected death. He is additionally survived by his sister Diane Hill (Benz, husband Pat Hill) and three grandsons: Matt Sampere, Tim Sampere and Brendan Benz.  Numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends are also mourning his passing.  Louis grew up on Syracuse's North Side in a loving home additionally surrounded by his father Alois, mother Caroline and brother George who are all pre-deceased. He was a 1953 graduate of Assumption High School where he and George were fixtures on the school's baseball team. After graduating Lou held a handful of part-time jobs but in 1955 found a home at Monroe Abstract & Title Corporation where he remained for nearly five decades. Lou had three passions in life: Wanda, his children and baseball; and he tried to combine the three whenever possible. He was a diehard fan of the NY Yankees as well as the Syracuse Chiefs and loved collecting player autographs and taking pictures of them to put in photo albums. He also had a love for music that dated back to his days as a child listening to records on a Victrola. He especially enjoyed Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. He was a longtime member of the Pastimes Athletic Club and also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Lou always had a smile on his face, had extreme patience and grace in every situation and loved telling “dad” jokes. (For more on Louis' life and to share your memories PLEASE visit: https://everloved.com/life-of/louis-benz/)
Calling hours will be Friday (12/13) from 4-7pm at Goddard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral Home, 3111 James St.  Funeral services will be Saturday (12/14) at 10:00am at Blessed Sacrament Church followed by burial at Assumption Cemetery. If you wish to send cards or flowers please direct them to the funeral home though the family would prefer donation in his name be made to fight “Lou” Gerhig's disease by visiting: www.ALSAUpstateNY.org.