Nicholas Anthony Beninate

Nicholas Anthony Beninate, a retired US Army Colonel died Thursday, January 12, 2012. Colonel Beninate was born in New Orleans, LA May 11, 1919. From 1934 to 1936 he had enlisted service in the 36th Division Texas National Guard, enlisted reserve service in the US Navy. In 1936 he enlisted in the US Army. His first assignment as a private Regular Army was as a lead team driver in a gun section of C Battery 83rd Field Artillery (horse drawn). He retired in May of 1967 as a full colonel. During his more than 30 years of service in the Regular Army, he served in every grade from recruit to sergeant first class or technical sergeant, and warrant office junior grade. He was given a direct commission in Europe in 1942 as a second lieutenant. He received a Regular Army Commission in 1949 through the competitive tour program. His decorations and awards include: the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. Colonel Beninate was a Brevard County resident for 41 years, having moved here in 1970 from the Washington, DC area. He was a veteran of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam. He graduated from high school at age 27 then went on to the University of Georgia obtaining his undergraduate BS degree, an MBA from University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) and finally a Doctor of Education Degree from Nova University. During the period 1970 through 1983, he was an administrator at Brevard Community College. He retired from BCC in 1983. Upon retirement he established a consulting business which continued until 1994. He was a life member of the Retired Officers Association, Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 123 of Merritt Island, Brevard Veterans Council and Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity. His wife Jimmie said that he enjoyed fishing, gardening, especially growing roses, traveling especially to visit his children and grandchildren, and playing on his computer. Survivors include his wife, Jimmie W. Beninate of 69 (would have been 70 years on January 15, 2012) years, two sons, Victor H. Beninate (Wendi M.) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Jerry D. Beninate (Lili S.) of Ivy, VA; and daughter B. Jane Brady of Weston, WV. He has three grandsons: Nicholas A. Beninate II, Christopher W. Brady and Matthew Beninate. He also has three granddaughters: Victoria Kielar, Elizabeth J. Brady and Renee Beninate. Step granddaughter, Lisa Brady Hosfeld and great grandchildren Sydney and Max also survive. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Josephine B. Beninate and Anthony Beninate as well his son-in-law, John Maxwell (Max) Brady. No calling hours are scheduled. A reception will be held at a later date to commemorate his life. The family request no flowers. Donations may be made to VMC/Scholarship Fund, 400 S. Sykes Pkwy., Merritt Island, FL 32952. A memorial service will be held 4:00pm Saturday, January 21, 2012 at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 S. Sykes Pkwy., Merritt Island, FL 32952. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. The Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home & Crematory of Cocoa Beach, Florida is in charge of the arrangements for Colonel Nicholas Anthony Beninate. This obituary provided as a service to the Beninate family by the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel, Buckhannon, WV.

Nicholas Anthony Beninate

May 11, 1919 - January 12, 2012