Adrian Merrill Benson, age 55, husband of Teresa A, May-Benson, of Norristown, PA, formerly of Boston, MA, passed away on the evening of Tuesday, May 11, 2021 of complications of esophageal cancer. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife, children and beloved kittens. Born on October 19, 1965 in Pottstown, PA, he was the son of the late Merrill and Donna (Gress) Benson of Royersford, PA.
Adrian was born and raised in Royersford and enlisted in the U.S. Navy immediately after high school. He was a petty officer electronic technician for 8 years on active duty serving on the submarine USS City of Corpus Christi during the Persian Gulf War and later an instructor at the New London Submarine School. After active duty he served 14 years with the Rhode Island based Mobile Inshore Undersea Unit where he retired from the Navy reserves.
Adrian was an early adopter of the home personal computer and later became a computer programmer and analyst, first working for Meditech and then for Partners Healthcare/MassGeneral Brigham. In his spare time, he served as a volunteer auxiliary police office for the Randolph MA Police Department. He received his associates degree from Quincy College, MA and took numerous classes from UMass – Boston and Southern New Hampshire University.
Adrian had many diverse interests and passions. He loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, hunting in Texas with his cousin and enjoying a pipe and a scotch with his best friend. He had a deep abiding love of history which was reflected in his enjoyment of Civil War re-enacting and his tabletop miniatures wargaming passion. He was cohost on the podcast, Wargaming Recon, for 10 years and was a highly respected member of the wargaming community. He had a life-long love of photography and in more recent years was interested in writing. He was also a fine pen aficionado.
He married his wife of 33 years, Teresa May-Benson, on March 12, 1988 at the Immanuel Church of Christ, Kettlersville, OH. He is survived by his two children, Rachael Benson of Norristown, PA and Rhys Benson (with significant other Monica Porzio) and grandson, Ashton Benson of Pasadena, MD; and one sister, Madonna Bach. He leaves several extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins as well.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM (Noon) with calling hours from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM with Pastor Ed Rinehart officiating at the Immanuel Church of Christ, 8888 St. Rt.274 Kettlersville, Ohio. Internment to follow at Pearl Cemetery with full military honors. Services will be livestreamed on the church's youtube channel here, Immanuel Church of Christ.
Flowers are appreciated but donations in Adrian’s honor may alternatively be made to the American Battlefield Trust, www.battlefields.org in honor of his love of history preservation.
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