Obituary of Joseph W. Benziger

Joseph W. Benziger, 89, of Jackson Township died Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. He was born in Woodhaven, N.Y. and had resided in Freehold from 1959 to 1987. He was an embargo compliance executive for GE, New York City before his retirement. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Petty Officer 2nd Class and Pharmacist’s Mate 2nd Class aboard the USS Effingham and the USS Caliente. During the Battle of Okinawa, the USS Effingham was a designated hospital ship on which Joe aided wounded U.S. Marines and Sailors and transported them to Pearl Harbor. Mr. Benziger was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church, a member of the church’s Holy Name Society, American Legion Post No. 54, and Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 4374, all of Freehold. He was a member of the USS Caliente Association. Surviving are his wife, Josephine Mikula Benziger; his children, Douglas Benziger, Nancy Zanetti and husband Andrew, and Richard Benziger and wife Joanne Dietrich; his grandchildren, PFC Coltan Benziger, U.S. Army, Caitlin Zanetti, Melissa Lee and husband Alan, Laura Zanetti, and Faith Zanetti; and Samantha and Annalisa Benziger; and a great grandson, Jackson Lee. Visiting hours will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lim a Church, Freehold on Friday at 10:00 a.m. Memorial donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.