Thomas F. Benchina, Sr.

Thomas F. Benchina, Sr., age 75, of Shingleton, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on Tuesday morning, August 10, 2021 following a brief illness.  He was born on August 7, 1946 to Frank and Josephine (Jerry) Benchina.  Tom grew up in Shingleton and attended elementary school there.  He graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in Munising in 1965.  Tom relocated a couple of times between Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula over a five-year period.  During that time, he worked for Pontiac Motors, Hartho, and Fisher Body.  Tom married Helen J. Dolaskie on June 28, 1969, and they permanently made Shingleton their home in 1970.  Together, they raised their three children Michelle, Tom, and Carrie.  Tom worked in the woods for many years for Giguere Logging and retired from there.  He loved the outdoors and enjoyed brook trout fishing and hunting partridge, deer, and rabbits.  Tom also raised beagles and enjoyed working them in the woods on rabbit hunts.

He is survived by his wife of over fifty-two years – Helen Benchina of Shingleton; son and daughter-in-law – Thomas F. and Charissa Benchina, Jr. of Kalamazoo; daughter and son-in-law – Carrie and Jeff Robinson of Blacklick, OH; grandchildren – Gary (Brittany) Grimm, Cody (Sabrina Brown) Grimm, Cassidy Benchina, Logan Benchina, Keegan Robinson, and Chase Robinson; great-grandchildren – Bryce, Lia, Cody, Jr., Audrey, and Clayton; and brother – Louis (Mary) Benchina of West Salem, WI.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and by his daughter, Michelle Grimm on March 5, 2015.

Private family services will be held at a later date.