Claude A. Bench

Claude A. Bench, age 77, of Marlborough, Massachusetts, passed away May 23, 2025, after a brief illness.  He was born March 12, 1948, in Johnstown, PA, graduated from Richland High School (1966), and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Penn State (1970). Preceded in death by parents Anthony J. and Jeannine O. (LeQuellec) Bench, who had met in France during WWII, and brother Philip, all of Johnstown. Claude loved to be active outdoors.  He travelled, hiked, and was a competitive marathon runner, also climbing the two highest mountains in the continental US.  He took pride in completing numerous marathons, including Johnstown, Boston, New York, and Athens, also competed as a member of his Corporate Running Team, and co-produced a running show for Boston Public Radio.   Claude enjoyed all sports, especially Penn State wrestling and football, with an encyclopedic knowledge of people, scores, and statistics. When he wasn’t having fun, he was employed by RCA, where he worked on the television camera that went to the moon on Apollo 15. He was also employed by Burroughs (now Unisys), Digital Equipment Corporation (now Hewlett-Packard), and SunGard Brokerage Systems, retiring in 2008.  Claude was a loyal friend, much loved and admired, and the bonds of friendship that he made from school, running, and work enriched his life in return. He is the last surviving member of his immediate family, and will be dearly missed by his remaining relatives, including those in France, as well as his uncle David Keafer and close cousins Diane Keafer, Yvonne Keafer, Lucinda Custer, (and husband Tom). His unique voice and special wit may no longer be around to brighten our lives, but he will remain forever in the hearts of his friends and family.  Per Claude’s wishes, there will be no visitation; friends and family are invited to attend a funeral mass at St. Benedict’s Church on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Rev. David S. Peles. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Claude to The National Geographic Society at https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/, the Humane Society of the United States at https://www.humaneworld.org/en, or to a charity of your choice.

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