James George Benore

James George Benore, 79, of Charlotte, North Carolina, died peacefully in the loving presence of family and friends on Sunday, March 30th. Mr. Benore, a former Toledo native, died from unexpected complications from viral pneumonia. He was the youngest son born to late Clarence and Henrietta Benore, February 22, 1929 in Toledo, Ohio. James, or Jim as he liked to be called, attended St. Catherine's Elementary School, and was a proud graduate of Central Catholic High School. Jim served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a Radar Instructor stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground and started his career in Toledo as a tool and die maker before relocating to Illinois to embark on a new career in sales. Jim was also active in the Toledo Turner Club, and excelled at competitive sports, especially soccer, volleyball, and tennis, which he played well into his 70s, and won numerous tournaments. Jim was a very successful sales executive with the Sun Oil Company until his retirement in 1984. He won numerous sales awards, and received several promotions which took him and his family to several states during his career. After retiring from Sun Oil Company, Jim embarked on careers in private consulting and commercial real estate. On the personal side, Jim was a very social person and loved meeting new people. Jim also made significant contributions outside of his career and was very active. After retirement, he was very active in his church, and was a proud 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was involved in many charitable causes, including the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity. He also loved to travel, having enjoyed several cruises, and trips to Alaska, Europe, Egypt, and the Holy Land. During his life, he was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. One of Jim's favorite spots was Sugar Island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where he spent countless hours with his family and friends enjoying the beauty and solitude, as well as the fabulous fishing. Jim had a very strong sense of family and took great pride in his French Canadian ancestors and their accomplishments shaping the history of Toledo and Detroit. Jim is survived by two children, his loving daughter, Karen Benore O'Neill, of Charlotte, North Carolina, and his son, Michael Benore, of Rancho Palos Verdes, California. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Andrea & Christopher O'Neill and Caleb & Joshua Benore and his older siblings, Dorothy (Benore) Gordon, Paul Benore and sister-in-law Anna Benore of Toledo, Ohio as well as close friends Miriam (Brown) Ojielo, Frank O'Neill, Neil Clower, Lynn, Taylor & Madison Bailey. He is preceded in death by his parents Clarence & Henrietta Benore and his brother-in-law Bruce Gordon. Family and friends are invited to visit from 4-9 p.m. Friday, in the Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH, (between Douglas and Secor Roads). Prayers will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, from the funeral home followed by the funeral mass at 10 a.m., in Christ the King Catholic Church, 4100 Harvest Lane. Toledo, OH. The Very Reverend Michael O. Brown will officiate. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

James George Benore

March 30, 2008