Obituary of William Joseph Benden

Dr. William Joseph Benden, 82, of Freehold, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, he lived in Maryland prior to moving to Freehold 43 years ago. Dr. Benden received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Virginia in 1960; received his Master’s degree from the University of Maryland in 1964; and received his Doctorate degree from George Washington University in 1972. Dr. Benden started his career with Bellcomm, Washington, DC where he worked on the Apollo Space Program. He then worked as program manager for Telstar 3 & 4, Hightstown; was employed at Bell Labs, Holmdel, for 27 years; launched eight satellites for Intelsat, Washington, DC, and worked for Loral Skynet and XM Radio before retiring. He was a U. S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was proud to have served on the first atomic submarine, the U.S.S. Nautilus. He was a proud life member of the N.R.A., a life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; a life member of the Second Amendment Foundation; a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Past member of the Monmouth County Rifle and Pistol Club; member of the American Legion Post No. 54, Freehold; and Carpenter’s Union No. 1736, Washington, DC. A great outdoorsman, he was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed spending his winters at Cape Canaveral, Florida. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Ruth Doyle Benden, and a brother, Thomas Benden. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Mary Therese Cioppa Benden; two sons and daughters-in-law, Christopher and Lynda Benden, Woodford, Virginia, and Matthew and Lisa Benden, Manassas, Virginia; a daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Joshua Moor, New Canaan, Connecticut; and four grandchildren, Joey and Mary Benden, and Charlotte and Susanna Moor. Visitation will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church, Freehold at 10:00 A.M. Interment will follow at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery. Donations in his memory to St. Rose of Lima School, 51 Lincoln Place, Freehold, NJ 07728, Christian Brothers Academy, 850 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738, or the Wounded Warriors Project 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 would be appreciated.