July 6, 2010
Joseph F. Bendzunas, 60, of Oswego passed away at home on July 6, 2010 with family and friends by his side.
Joe was born on December 20, 1949, in Oswego, New York, the son of Augustina Bendzunas, and the late Frank Bendzunas who predeceased him in 1976. He attended St. John’s School and Oswego Catholic High School, Class of 1968. Joe earned a Bachelors Degree from LeMoyne College and a Master’s Degree at SUNY Albany. He resided in Syracuse and worked as a Licensed Certified Social Worker at Hutchings Psychiatric Center, until retiring in 2007.
Joe’s zest for life included numerous activities ranging from training and racing thoroughbred horses, fishing, singing and playing guitar, bull riding, traveling to many parts of the world, including hiking mountains in Peru and New Zealand. He was a gifted athlete, proficient in baseball, basketball, long distance bike riding, and golf.The depth of Joe’s personality and character was balanced with diligence and a free spirited nature. Over the years, he developed many lifelong relationships with friends that were an integral part of his life. Equally admirable was the courage and poise demonstrated throughout the last two and a half years. Family and friends were honored to be assisting and supporting him and were blessed with Joe’s gracious acceptance of this demonstration of love. We are also very appreciative of the spiritual guidance and blessings of Father Morisette, Father Baccaro, and Deacon Phil Kehoe.
He is survived by his mother, Augustina Bendzunas; fiancé, Melanie Trexler, and her daughters, Alexia and Kate Kahanovitz; sister & brother-in law, Barbara and George Blankenship, sister & brother-in law Mary Jean and John Battista; niece and nephew, Stephanie & Joseph Battista.
Calling hours are Sunday from 4:00-7:00 PM, at Sugar and Scanlon Funeral Home 147 West Fourth Street, Oswego. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 9:30 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oswego. The family welcomes your attendance to celebrate Joe’s life and loving spirit.
In lieu of flowers family request contributions may be made to the Friends of Oswego County Hospice.
Melanie and Family,
I was so very sorry to read about Joe. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Becky O’Kane
To Joe’s Mom, Fiance and Family,
We first met Joe at Fairmout Children’s Center in the 80’s. He was such a great guy, always a smile on his face. He will surely be missed by everyone that knew him.
Our condolences are with you now.
Dorothy Sutton and Judy Perrault
To Melanie, and Joe’s family and friends,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. Although I never met Joe, I spoke with him on the phone several times, and I was looking forward to possibly meeting him this summer. I am the person he contacted about our mutual admiration for Captain George N. Gray of the US Life-Saving Service.
I can see that Joe was a person of much spirit and enthusiasm.
My heart goes out to all of you as you try to adjust to this loss.
To Joe’s Family,
I was so sorry to read of Joe’s passing. We were both Social Workers at Hutchings, and he was my boss at the Oneida Street Outpatient Clinic.
It was great to work with him and he made coming to work not so bad! He had a great sense of humor coupled with care and concern for our clients, a great combination.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Judy Murray