Former ECAC Assistant Commissioner Al Benson Passes Away

LUBEC, Maine -  Albert Benson Jr., passed away unexpectedly on March 29, 2009 at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor. He was born in New Haven, Conn., the son of Albert and Lillian (Laflamme) Benson.

Al attended Hopkins School in Connecticut and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at Wesleyan. He obtained his Ed.D from Harvard University in 1964.

Al served in the Navy in both World War II and Korea. He spent 25 years in public education, retiring as superintendent of schools in Framingham, Mass., after 12 years on the job. He worked for one year in the School of Continuing Education at Babson College before joining the Eastern College Athletic Conference as assistant commissioner in 1984, supervising college football and basketball officials. He served with great pride, on the NCAA Football Rules Committee, and was commissioner of the Yankee Conference. Al retired from the ECAC after 14 years and went to work for the NFL, scouting officials.

Al is survived by his wife Sally (Cazeault) Benson of Lubec; sons, Stephen and wife, Julia, of Chester, N.H., and Eric and wife, Tammy, of Modesto, Calif.; daughter, Lisa of Chicago; brother, Robert and wife, Gail, of Bluffton, S.C.; sister, Ruth Timothy of Connecticut; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; stepsons, Don and Lisa Skinner of Glen Allen, Va., Glenn and Tina Skinner of West Barnstable; and five stepgrandchildren.

Al was a card carrying member of the OYC, and an avid golfer.

The Benson family would like to thank Dr. Garber and his caring and professional team at Eastern Maine Medical Center.

A memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

Those who wish may make a donation to the Lubec Memorial Library, Water Street, Lubec, ME 04652.

Arrangements are in care of McClure Family Funeral Services, Lubec, 207-733-2382.
Published in the Cape Cod Times on 4/1/2009