Martin Vincent Benedict, Sr.

HERKIMER - Martin Vincent (Marty, Papa) Benedict, Sr., of 315 Marion Street, Herkimer, New York, passed away peacefully, on Monday, December 11, 2023, at Bassett Medical Center, in Cooperstown, with his loving wife of 39 years, Nadine, by his side when he went to be with the Lord. Marty was born in Herkimer on January 26, 1955 to the late Herbert and Shirley Benedict and was a lifelong resident of the Mohawk Valley.


Born into a traditional family and graduating from Mohawk High School in 1973, Marty was an avid wrestler and even played some football. He began his career in the machine shop at Remington Arms Company in Ilion, where he spent 25 years before retiring as an IT Systems Administrator. During his career at Remington, Marty enrolled back in school and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Utica College. He went on to work for Trustco Bank and then until his health required his retirement from Golub/Price Chopper Corporation for ten years each, and both as an IT Systems Administrator. In 1984, he went to work for the Herkimer County Sheriff’s Office where he completed 25 years as a part-time Deputy Sheriff, also retiring from there. Notably, he was also one of the original EMT volunteers for the Mohawk Valley Ambulance Corps (MOVAC) at its inception in 1979.


Marty was the epitome of a hard-working, family, and community man. He was a devout member of the First United Methodist Church in Herkimer, attending service even when he was ill and could barely go. He loved classic cars and attending any car show within range that he could get to. His collection of HAM radios in the basement is the pictogram of his love of the amateur radio world – where he communicated with people from all over the world for over 40 years – and lived to support his community as emergency communications backup for events like the Boilermaker Road Race. He was also a member of the Herkimer Elks Lodge #1439 and enjoyed working the car shows with them.


To say that Marty was a Mason is an understatement. He loved his Brotherhood of Masons and his commitment to them was pure and known. He was a 32nd Degree Royal Arch Mason, Trustee of the Robert R Livingston Masonic Library, in New York, New York and an active member in all of his Masonic concatenate bodies. He also was a Primary Lodge Member of the Masonic Lodge #796, in Dolgeville, NY and a Member of Olive Branch Masonic Lodge #40, in Ilion, NY. Marty served as Master Mason at both of those lodges.


Marty cherished his second amendment rights and had many firearms to prove it. Becoming a marksman at the Sheriff’s Department, he was sure to hit his mark if needed. He lived for his Stewart’s coffee - even on Saturday, December 9, Marty got on his motor scooter and rode to Stewart’s in Herkimer to have coffee with his Harley coffee crew. He owned and rode motorcycles for years, sometimes to his demise. And over coffee, you could be sure to hear a rundown on how his beloved Buffalo Bills were doing. Make no mistake, you could hear a story about his motorcycles, his guns, the Mason’s, Sheriff’s department, or anything else dear to his heart if you stopped by his campsite at Adirondack Lakeside RV Park, in Hinckley, NY. Marty has enjoyed his camp family for the last several years with his loving wife Nadine and his grandchildren.


Papa spent the last few years the happiest ever, despite his ailments. At home with Nadine and his grandsons, Chase and Lincoln, supporting them, bragging on them and taking care of things that he thought was important, whether they were to anyone else or not. He was most proud of his guy, Chase. Words cannot express the void that Chase will experience without his Papa, his biggest cheerleader. Chase was the apple of Papa’s eye and Papa made sure everyone knew it.


Besides his wife, Marty is survived by two sons, Martin “Butch” Benedict, Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, of Mohawk and James Benedict and his wife, Jennifer, of Virginia; a daughter, Lindsey Benedict, of Herkimer; two brothers, Todd and his fiancée, Amanda Delgado, of Orlando, FL and Steve and his wife, Randi, of Lincolnton, NC.; his sister-in-law, Denise Schlosser, her husband Charles and their daughter Danielle, of Boca Raton, FL.; his nephew, Jason Foti and family, of Coral Springs, FL.; his grandsons, Chase Benedict, Lincoln Howe and his father, Mike Howe, of Herkimer, and grandson, Jason Benedict of Virginia; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.


Marty was predeceased by his mother and father, Herbert and Shirley; his brothers, Randy and Tim; his mother and father-in law, Vincent and Hilda Foti; his brother-in law, Nick Foti; and his nephew, Tim Benedict.


Calling hours will be Friday, December 15, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a full Masonic Funeral Service immediately following, at the ENEA & CIACCIA FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 4309 Acme Rd., Ilion, NY 13357. Pastor Joelle Faulks from the First United Methodist Church in Herkimer will deliver the final blessing and prayer. The evening will conclude around 8:00 p.m. Spring interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery, in Herkimer.


Nadine and family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation for Marty’s final care, to Valley Health Services Rehab Unit, Bassett Health Services Intensive Care Unit, MOVAC, Nadine’s’ Deiorio’s work family and deepest gratefulness to all of the family, friends and neighbors that have been there to help.


Marty’s funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, Ilion, NY, Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors (315-894-8000).