Donald Benoit

Donald Joseph Benoit

May 19, 1940 – June 7, 2025

Donald Joseph Benoit, 85, of Putnam, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025, surrounded and enveloped in love by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Born on May 19, 1940, in Putnam and raised in nearby Woodstock, Don was the son of Raynie and Gladys (Hoffman) Benoit. Don enlisted in the United States Navy upon graduating from The Woodstock Academy in 1958. After completing Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL, he served in San Diego, CA, and Japan before being assigned to the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland. There, fate introduced him to the love of his life, Carol Eileen Trumm, who was serving in the U.S. Army and also assigned to the NSA. They married on October 6, 1962, and following their military service, settled in Connecticut to build a home and raise their family.

Don held early positions with SAS Construction and was one of the first Security Officers at Day Kimball Hospital. He began a dedicated career in Corrections for the State of Connecticut in 1967. After retiring in 1988, he joined the Windham County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a prisoner transport officer until his second retirement in 1995. Even then, Don continued working part-time at NAPA in Brooklyn, CT, until 2018.

Don and Carol raised four children, whom he was immensely proud of. A devoted father, Don was actively involved in their lives—from coaching their teams to playing catch in the front yard. He and Carol, both avid Red Sox fans, passed along their love of baseball to their children, and Don shared that same passion with the broader community. For more than a decade, he coached youth baseball in the town of Putnam, positively shaping the lives of countless young men in ways he may never have fully realized.

Don had many interests: Red Sox baseball, NASCAR racing, maintaining a pristine lawn, card games and horseshoes with the guys at his home, and camping trips that brought laughter and adventure. But above all, Don’s greatest joy was his family. He adored his wife and was devoted to his children and grandchildren from the moment they were born, and his love for them never wavered.

In his final days, Don and Carol reflected on the life they had built together—a life full of devotion, pride, and deep love.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol Benoit; his children: Derek and Carol Benoit of Vernon, CT and Spring Hill, FL; Douglas Benoit of Jewett City, CT; David and Gemma Benoit of Putnam, CT; and Dawn and Pete Chmura of Homosassa, FL; as well as his two beloved grandchildren, Gregory Benoit of Vernon, CT and Lauren Benoit of Land O’ Lakes, FL; his brothers Douglas and Claire Benoit of Richmond, ME and Stephen Benoit of Quinebaug, CT; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his sister, Joyce Leclerc; brother-in-law, James Leclerc; sister-in-law, Nancy Benoit; and three nephews.

At Don’s request, there will be no calling hours, and the services will be private. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 28, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please email dawn.chmura@gmail.com by Tuesday, June 24, to R.S.V.P. and for additional information.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s memory to Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org) or Masonicare Hospice, 110 South Turnpike, Wallingford, CT 06492. Don’s family is grateful for the care and compassion of the nurses who attended to him in his final days, especially Terri-Ann, Kerri, Amy, Pamela, and Sandy.