Edward H. Benton, Esq.

Edward H. Benton, Esq., 66, of Albany, NY, passed away on Sunday, July 9 at 8:30 AM. He was born December 1, 1950 in Norwalk, CT, the son of Edward F. Benton and the former Margaret Theresa Szabo of Copake, NY. He was a salutatorian graduate of Roeliff Jansen High School in Hillsdale, NY, class of 1968. He attended Yale University and earned a B.A. in history cum laude 1974. He was awarded a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt University Law School as a Patrick Wilson Scholar, Law Review in 1981. He was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York 1982. Post graduate studies followed in Cross-cultural Negotiation and International Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law 1999. Edward’s lifetime employment began as President of POS Corporation in New Haven, CT, a computer systems company. He was Account Executive at Benton and Bowles, Inc., NYC, then Associate in international law with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP, NYC, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He was Associate in leveraged buyout financings with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, NYC and moved to become Associate in investment banking with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, NYC. When Edward entered startup businesses in Upstate NY, he cofounded Winding Brook Farm in Copake, NY, raising organic beef cattle. He partnered with his brother Thomas to establish Video Cave, a ten-store chain serving Columbia-Greene and Duchess Counties. He became General Counsel for Dynamic Credit Partners, LLC, NYC and Legal Search Executive for Alan Roberts & Associates, Inc., NYC. Upon his retirement, Edward was an adjunct professor in Criminal Justice and Animal Law for Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY. Edward was an avid downhill skier, captain of his high school track team, hiker, swimmer, martial arts competitor (Aikido), sailor, reader, and author of a published political satire, America’s Final Days, copyright 2011. His wife, Malu was the lucky recipient of his newly refined culinary skills when she came home from a long day of teaching to his surprise dinners! Edward gave much to his community. As a boy, he was an acolyte in St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Copake Falls, NY. As a man, he volunteered as a reader for WMHT Rise, a service for the visually disabled. He volunteered at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany as a comforter to pre-surgical patients. He served on the Board of Trustees of Columbia County Industrial Development Agency. He was a member of Toastmasters, serving as its grammarian. He attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Churches in Kinderhook and Albany. All Edward’s life, he was a lover and rescuer of animals of any species, adopting stray cats, dogs, and woods animals into his home. Edward is survived by his wife Malu Benton, his sister Lisa May Benton, his brother Thomas George Benton, and his devoted Jack Russell Terrier, Carina. Friends and family are welcome to gather at McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 12206, Friday, July 14 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with a service celebrating Edward's life to be held at 6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, Edward’s family would appreciate donations made in Edward Benton’s name to the Columbia Greene Humane Society, 111 Humane Society Road, Hudson, NY 12534. Conocer el amor de los que amamos es el fuego que alimenta la vida. To know the love of those we love is the fire that fuels life. Pablo Neruda (1904-1973) Poeta chileno / Chilean poet.

Tributes

Edward H. Benton, Esq.

December 1, 1950 - July 9, 2017