LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Joseph Benenati, Jr., World
War II Veteran, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his communi-
ty

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Longtime Chenango County Sheriff Joseph Benenati, Jr. of
Norwich, New York, died on July 28, 2011, at the age of 97; and
WHEREAS, Born in Norwich on January 17, 1914, Joseph Benenati, Jr. was
one of 12 children; he went on to attend Norwich High School where he
played basketball, baseball, and golf, and was a proud graduate of the
class of 1932; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Benenati, Jr. became a New York State Trooper in 1936,
which would prove to be the beginning of a long and extraordinary
career; he was granted a leave of absence to join the United States
Marines during World War II which would also lead him down a remarkable
path of courage and valor; and
WHEREAS, In 1942, Joseph Benenati, Jr. enlisted with the United States
Marine Corps and went on to serve 38 months, 28 of which were overseas;
he served in the Pacific Theater, including campaigns in Bougainville,
Guam, and Iwo Jima; and
WHEREAS, Subsequently, Joseph Benenati, Jr. was awarded four Bronze
Stars for service in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, the Navy Unit Cita-
tion with two Bronze Stars for Bougainville and Guam, and the Presiden-
tial Unit Citation with one Bronze Star for Iwo Jima; in addition, he
was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Bronze "V" for individual valor;
and
WHEREAS, Joseph Benenati, Jr. rejoined the Troopers in 1945, where he
distinguished himself in his profession and by his sincere dedication
and substantial contribution to the welfare of his community; first
appointed to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, he was soon promoted
to Supervisor of the Bureau of Criminal Intelligence Unit, responsible
for a 10-county area; and
WHEREAS, In 1957, with the unit that investigated organized crime,
Joseph Benenati, Jr. led the historic raid in Apalachin where members of
the New York crime families were meeting; furthermore, he once escorted
President Franklin D. Roosevelt from the Highland substation in Pough-
keepsie to the Roosevelt Estate in Hyde Park; and
WHEREAS, In 1960, after 24 years of dedicated service to the New York
State Police, Joseph Benenati, Jr. was appointed Sheriff of Chenango
County by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, a position in which he
remained for the next 21 years until his retirement in 1982; and
WHEREAS, Among his many awards and accolades, in 1968, Joseph Benena-
ti, Jr. was recipient of one of three Top Law Officer Awards; further-
more, in 1989, he was made a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International,
and in 1998, he was inducted into the Police Hall of Fame, in Miami,
Florida; and
WHEREAS, May 4, 1982, was proclaimed "Joe Benenati Recognition Day" by
the City of Norwich and in 2003, this outstanding citizen was recognized
by Camp Pharsalia for his 46 years of service to the inmates, which
included amendments to New York law allowing the implementation of work-
release programs in the State; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Benenati, Jr.'s commitment to excellence, and his
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, includ-
ing charitable and civic endeavors; he served as a working member of

various boards and organizations, including the Norwich Rotary Club,
American Legion Post 189, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2782, and
the Bullthistle Marine Corps League Detachment 604; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Joseph Benenati, Jr. served as Chairman of the
Criminal Justice Advisory Board of the Southern Tier, was a member of
the Board of Visitors of the New York State Veteran's Home, Chairman of
the Advisory Committee of Camp Pharsalia, and Counselor of the H-Bar-D
Ranch program for disadvantaged children; and
WHEREAS, A communicant of St. Bartholomew's Church, Joseph Benenati,
Jr. attended many charitable functions, collected Toys for Tots to
deliver to underprivileged children, and served as President of the
Advisory and Christmas Program Committee at Camp Pharsalia; and
WHEREAS, A well admired man, with a strong sense of duty and a gener-
ous heart, Joseph Benenati, Jr. embraced his community and served it
with loyalty and distinction; his courageous actions affected the lives
of many and left a positive impact on all those he encountered; humble
yet strong, compassionate and kind, Joseph Benenati Jr. lived a life
that some only dream about; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Benenati, Jr. was predeceased by his parents, Giuseppe
and Maria (Testa) Benenati, and six brothers, Guiseppe, Frank, Thomas,
Anthony, Michael, and John Benenati, as well as four sisters, Catherine
Kennedy, Anna Houpis, Teresa Benenati, and Louise Loscavio; he is
survived by his sister, Mary Coe, as well as many nieces, nephews, and
cousins; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Joseph Benenati, Jr. leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Joseph Benenati, Jr., distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Joseph Benenati, Jr.