October 21, 1928 – July 22, 2023
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our dear husband and father, Kenneth Benson, on Saturday July 22, 2023. Kenneth was the wonderful husband and best friend of his wife, Marilyn, for over 68 years. He will be greatly missed by her and by his daughter Catherine, son Stephen (Dawn), his four grandchildren, Sarah, Alex, Emily and Greg and two great-grandchildren, Shayla and Wesley. He was predeceased by one grandchild, Caitlyn.
Ken was also predeceased by his parents, George and Eva Benson, and six brothers, William (Norma), James Errol (Bob) (Fay), Jack, David (Edna), Paul (Gwen) (Marion) and Bruce (Carol). He is survived by his sister Audrey Mann (Kenneth).
Ken founded Benson Steel Limited in September 1980 and the company continues to flourish under the management of the next generation. He was honoured by the Toronto Construction Association and presented with the Donald P. Giffin, Sr. Award for his contributions to the construction industry over the past 60 years. He was also honoured by the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction numerous times in recognition of a career of invaluable contributions to the Steel Industry across Canada. A scholarship in Ken’s honour was created by Benson Steel and resides at the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University.
Ken was a longtime member and elder of Nashville Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Ontario and member of Caven Presbyterian Church, Bolton.
In his younger days Ken was very active in the Masonic Lodge and was a founding member of Bridgewood Lodge in Woodbridge where he served as Master for three different terms and, in 1991, received an appointment to the office of Grand Steward. He was proud to receive his 60 year pin.
In recent years he had been enjoying the winter months golfing and lawn bowling at Maple Leaf Golf and Country Club in Florida. Summers were spent at his home in Rosedale Village and in Muskoka where he loved to spend time with his family.
Ken will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) on Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 and evening 6 – 8 o’clock. Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Thursday morning, July 27 at 11 o’clock. Followed by interment Nashville Cemetery.
The family invites those who wish to view the service virtually to do so through live streaming at
https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=cbeaaa1c-ce3a-489b-93cb-ea6c9c77e9b6
You can view the service live at the time scheduled or you can view it at a more convenient time for you.
You will be required to register for the service and then they will immediately send you an email with the actual link to the service. Please check your junk or spam inbox if you don’t receive the email with the actual link..
If you experience any issues or have questions in regards to the live streaming, please feel free to contact Forget Me Not Ceremonies at 1-877-895-2739. If you need to leave a message on their answering machine, they will return your call promptly.
If you wish, donations may be made to Operation Smile or Bethell Hospice Foundation in Ken’s honour.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Ann Wood
Condolences to all your family. Ann & Wayne Wood
Glen & Lynda Gray
Aunt Marilyn, Catherine & Stephen
Glen and I wish to send our deepest condolences to you and your family. I have many memories of Uncle Ken smiling and joking around at family picnics and Christmas. I do believe he was the one that introduced Glen to Lord Nelson.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
With deepest Sympathy
Glen & Lynda Gray
Terry, Karen & Quinten Maw
We are very sorry to hear of Kens passing. We have nothing but good memories of smile and laughs.
Our condolences to Marilyn & your family.
Kim Nelson
We wish you love, support and strength during this time of loss. Rob MacLauchlan & Kim Nelson, Russell, Chloe & Madeline.
Margaret Sant
Sorry to hear of Kens passing. I did not know him that well but my brother John Benson(decessed) looked up to him as
a father figure. John had many conversations with Ken. John always appreciated Kens wise advice.
He will be missed by many of his friends and family. May he rest in peace.
Margaret (ne Benson) Sant
Paul and Joan Burbidge
We were sorry to hear that Ken had passed away. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.
John and Jodi Crosbie
It’s so hard to say goodbye to someone you love but we hope you can find the strength to get through this difficult time.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. God bless.
Gaston Doiron & Federico Murcia
Our thoughts are with the family. I will always have fond memories of my time at Benson Steel. Ken left a great legacy and he must have been so proud that it continues to grow and prosper.
Our condolences and virtual hugs.
Murray Stewart
Dear Marilyn and Family
It has been a privilege to know Ken for many years and I extend warm condolences. To me, Ken was a gentle, sincere friend, whose advice was always thoughtful and shared with appreciation of others. May the Great Architect of the Universe be with you all and with Ken as he rests in Peace .
Murray
Gord Rados
On behalf of myself personally, my family and everyone at OSSFA.
We wish to extend our condolences to the Benson family and Benson Steel. I will always remember Mr. Benson and his wife at many a CISC conventions as a happy person, full of laughs and good cheer. He was a statesman to our industry, always willing to help a good cause, volunteering his time and he will be dearly missed by our steel industry. On behalf of our 45 members at OSSFA, employing over 20 000 employees, we wish all of you peace, strength and our full support during this difficult time.
Gord Rados- Executive Director, on behalf of OSSFA
Daley Metals Ltd.
His legacy will be remembered for years to come, not by his death but by his spirit.. we are all proud to know Ken and his family…
Jane Goodyer
Dear Benson family,
On behalf of all of us from the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University, we were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ken. We send our heartfelt condolences, and our thoughts are with the family at this time.
Dean Jane Goodyer
Chris Adach
Sincere condolences to the Benson family. Ken has left a monumental legacy to the steel construction industry through his dedication to the business and to those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Mary Lostchuck
Marilyn, Cathie and Stephen:
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Ken. You will miss him dearly.
Mary Lostchuck
Margaret Ball
Dear Marilyn and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Kens passing, Colin and I always enjoyed different masonic functions with you and Ken. The years fly by so fast. Colin has been gone 2 years now and I miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Sincerely
Margaret Ball
Mary Lostchuck
Marilyn, Cathie and Stephen:
I am so sorry to read about the loss of your husband and father. He will be missed.
Mary Lostchuck
Barrie Shepley & C3 Canadian Cross Training Club
The C3 family were fortunate to have spent time with Mr Benson over the years. He always had a smile and a genuine interest in what the club was doing for the local community and helped sponsor numerous events the years. C3 are sending their respect and thoughts to the entire Benson family and Benson Steel who have lost their respected leader.
Trent Dilkie
I only knew Ken from the things that Steve talked about. He sounded like a wonderful person who influenced many. My deepest condolences. Love to your family in this difficult time.
-Trent
Bill ostapchuk
Jo and I share your sorrow and extend our sincere condolences. During our twenty years at Maple Leaf you both became our special friends and we will fondly recall our days on the bowling green and our get togethers. May he Rest In Peace.
Bill &Jo
Zoran Radonjic
Dear Steve
We would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Zoran & Ranka
Tony De Fina
On behalf of myself and the entire Russel metals organization, please accept our deepest condolences on your loss.
I will always remember Ken’s smile and courteous manner, he was a kind and decent man. He will be missed by many.
Tony De Fina
Peggy Reid
Dear Steve our deepest condolences to you, Dawn and the family.
Kayla Merritt (Bonnie’s daughter)
Aunt Marilyn, Steve, Catherine and family,
I am so sorry for the loss of Uncle Ken. My deepest condolences go out to the entire family. Hard to believe all the Benson brothers have left us now. My thoughts are with you.
Dave and Barbara Hurt
Dear Marilyn
We are sorry for your loss and all us are feeling the deepest condolences to you and your family. Ken left us with great memories of our friendship both in Florida and Rosedale.
Mitch Gross - Gerdau
My deepest sympathies go out to the whole Benson family and staff at Benson Steel. Ken was simply a pleasure to deal with. I always looked forward to chatting with him anytime I was at the office.
Morteza Rahmanian
Dear Stephen and Benson Family,
On behalf of all of us from Butler Inspection Group Inc. (BIG), we wish to send our deepest condolences to you and your family. Although I did not know Ken, by myself, but Vijay had many conversations and good memories with Ken, to share with us. Vijay always appreciated Kens wise advice and technical supports and now we can see the Ken’s great legacy how supportive they are.
We wish all of you peace, strength, and our full support during this difficult time.
Morteza Rahmanian, President, on Behalf of BIG
Heather Daly
I would like give my condolences to the Benson family. I wish you love and strength at this time. Heather Daly
Bonnie Mann
Aunt Marilyn, Catherine, Stephen and family
Please know I’m thinking of you all during this difficult time. Uncle Ken will be greatly missed but fondly remembered. So many special memories we have from the Benson Family Picnics and Christmas gatherings.
Sending much love to you all.
Bonnie
Peter Larocque
I am truly saddened by Ken’s passing.
He will be sorely missed.
Deepest condolences go out to the family members
Pastor Jeff Loach
On behalf of the amalgamated congregation of Caven and St. Paul’s, Nobleton, we extend our sympathy to Marilyn and the Benson family. May God’s peace surround you in these challenging days.
Ken Graydon
How sorry we are to hear about Ken. A good person & a good friend. Our sincerest condolences to Marilyn & family. We are thinking of you. – Ken & Phyllis Graydon.
Jit Sharma
Dear Stephen and family, please accept heartfelt condolences from me and my colleagues at the Department of Civil Engineering, York University. We are deeply saddened by Ken’s passing. I remember Ken as a true philanthropist and a champion of making higher education accessible to everyone. He played a huge role in getting our new Department to a good start. Ken’s legacy lives on at the Department in the form of a scholarship that bears his name. We will miss him and will always remember him as one of the pioneering supporters of our Department. – Dr. Jit Sharma, Professor and Founding Chair, Department of Civil Engineering, York University.
Euleta Wright
Deepest Sympathy to Marilyn and the Benson family. So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing
“TEARS ARE A LANGUAGE, GOD UNDERSTAND”
R.I.P. Ken
Pat and Gord Jones
Pat and Gord Jones
We will miss our special friend. Many good times were spent at Maple Leaf in Florida and going to Stratford Theatre here in Canada. Ken will be missed by so many.
Mel and Anne Grimes
We have known and worked with Ken since 1980. He was a man of honesty and integrity who had an amazing career in our industry. Along with his brothers Paul and Bob and son Stephen the Benson name has been a huge force in the Steel Fabrication Industry.
Scott Boynton
Marilyn , Stephen ,Cathy and family
So sorry to hear of Ken’s Passing, we have many fond memories of the day’s spent at Nashville church, at worship, enjoying special occasions, Christmas eve services, Easter and many more social events.
He seemed to especially have fun when there was younger children around and he could play Santa (with his reindeer , I won’t name names )
He clearly lived a life that valued family, and friends … He was part of what made Nashville so amazing
Heaven holds a place for men like Ken
Scott and Michelle Boynton and Family
Joy Lostchuck and family
Pietro Oliva
Stephen & Family,
We are sorry to hear about your father.
We hope great memories help you through this difficult time & are thinking of you All.
Pietro Oliva & Rocco Virzi (Excel Dry Cleaners)
Cheryl Robb
My condolences to the Benson family. It was a pleasure to work with Ken and Marilyn and family with the sale of their home in Nashville. Ken was a great man and left an amazing legacy. Prayers for the family during this difficult time.