Benjamin Bennie Jr.

Benjamin Bennie, Jr. (affectionately known as June to his family) was born on August 15, 1941 to the union of Ruby and Benjamin Bennie, Sr. in Cincinnati, Ohio. Benjamin was the eldest of six children. He was preceded in death by both parents; his brother, Jack and sister, Betty J. Thomas.

June attended Stowe Elementary School, Porter Jr. High School and Stowe Trade School. June enjoyed the typical childhood experiences in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati. He and his brother, Jack, being so close in age, were constant companions in their various boyhood exploits. As they got a little older, they both developed a great interest in jazz music, which June maintained into his later years until dementia finally dulled his memory of Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and other jazz greats. He generally had no interest in accumulating material possessions, but he treasured his collection of jazz records and tapes.

Ben's training at Stowe Trade School enabled him to find employment at Wolfe Machinery, where he enjoyed working for several years, until a lengthy union strike caused him to be laid off. He later held various jobs in property maintenance.

June lost his closest friend and brother, Jack in 1975. That loss proved to be devastating to him. His zest for life was never quite the same after that. He kept to himself and though he loved his family, he would often drop out of sight for months at a time. He believed in exercising and could be seen biking or walking all over the city. Family members would report back to each other that they'd spotted him on one of his daily walks in some part of town. That's how we'd know he was okay until he would decide to check in every now and then. On one of those check-in visits, he introduced our mom to his new wife. The marriage was short-lived, however; and regretfully, none of us remember his wife's name.

Over the past five years, Ben was a resident of Mountain Crest Nursing Home, after it became apparent that he could no longer live alone. There, he continued his daily walking routine, doing laps around the hallways, until his steps slowed, and finally stopped. He enjoyed a congenial relationship with the staff members who looked after him, sharing stories and jokes with them.

After years of staying to himself, June and his brothers, Harold and Daryl finally developed a wonderful relationship. His brothers visited with him on a weekly basis and took him out to get chicken at KFC and then over to Daryl's house to shoot pool and talk trash about who was the best player. But during these visits, Harold and Daryl had a more important mission in mind than that of simply entertaining their brother. They brought along a Bible and began reading scripture and praying with him. They saw the need to lead their brother to Christ and acted on that need. June made the best decision of his life in 2007, when he accepted Jesus as his Savior and received salvation. And so, we can rejoice in the knowledge that when June took his last breath here on earth on Sunday, February 19, we are able to say with confidence that he truly went home to be with the Lord!!

Benjamin Bennie leaves to mourn his loss (but rejoice in his homegoing) his brothers Harold T. Bennie (Robyn) and Daryl Baker; his sister, Deborah Bennie, and other siblings, Benjamin L. Bennie, Beverly Bennie, Donna Bennie, Joyce Johnson (Marvin), and Joan Hunter. He also leaves a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.