LEWISTON – Benjamin Venskus, 88, of 37 Mexico Ave., Mexico, passed away on Sunday morning, Feb. 5, at the Central Maine Medical Center.

A lifelong resident of Mexico, he graduated from Mexico High School in 1935.

He was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, wounded in action on the Island of Iwo Jima in 1945 and became a recipient of the Purple Heart.

He retired from the paper testing laboratory of the Boise Cascade Mill, Rumford in 1980 after 32 years of employment.

Known to his friends andco-workers as “Gentle Ben” for his modest and honest style, he will be remembered as a patient and caring man by all who knew him.

Ben was extremely dedicated to his family and treasured the time that he had spent with them and their families.

Children always rated as No. 1 with him and he was always there for them. He enjoyed gardening, sports, (an avid Red Sox Fan) and telling humorous stories. In his later years, he entertained his family by playing the harmonica and singing songs from his earlier days, such as “Bell Bottom Trousers,” “Barney Google” and other humorous and fond melodies.

A faithful supporter of the Mexico School athletics, he received a plaque for attending every game played over a period of many years.

He was married June 17, 1939, to the late Muriel Brown of Rumford who died in Lewiston, on March 24, 1996.

He is survived by two daughters and two sons, Alexandra E. Walker and her husband, Dave, of Dixfield, Katherine Venskus and her companion, Brent, of Sabattus, Benjamin P. Venskus and his wife, Connie, of Rumford and Richard Venskus; 10 grandchildren, David Lafleur, Christopher Lafleur, Stacey Blodgett, Aaron Venskus, Ian Venskus, Danny Venskus, Amy Venskus, David Gemmecke, Hannah Blais, and Kiahna Blais; five great-grandchildren, Matthew Smith, Michael Smith, Ryan Lafleur, Mariah Lafleur, and Austin Blodgett; and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Brown O’Leary of Mexico.

Copy the Story Link