Contributions to the tribute of Thomas Gary Benjamin

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Richard T. Cahill Jr. posted a condolence

Friday, January 10, 2025

I had a lot of respect for Thomas. I worked many cases with him in my career. Working for UEF, Thomas was in a situation where he always had to controvert cases and it becomes an often difficult and time consuming process. But, Thomas was always such a gentleman that he was able to diffuse even the most tense situation seemingly with ease. Additionally, UEF cases often have highly technical issues. Yet, every judge I was ever in front of and all of the attorneys involved in these cases knew Thomas could recite every UEF law, rule, and regulation right from memory. Because the Board went virtual back in 2020, I have not seen Thomas in person in quite some time and only just learned of his passing today (1/10/25). Rest in peace, my friend. You were a credit to our profession and a heck of a nice guy. Richard T. Cahill Jr.

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Richard Goldman posted a condolence

Friday, January 3, 2025

Tom was my colleague when I was in private practice as an attorney. He became my boss, thankfully, when I transitioned into state service. With his intelligence, pragmatism, and kindness, he helped me adjust to working for a bureaucracy. “If there is a logical way to do something,” he’d say, “the State will have you do it the opposite way.” He said this with his gentle smile and relentless optimism, which was contagious. He quickly became my friend, remaining so after I no longer worked for him. Though I was not fortunate enough to have ever met his family members in person, excepting Ambrose and Kiana, Tom shared much about his family throughout the years. I offer them my prayers. I’ll miss Tom but his inspiration will continue.

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Linda Sutton posted a condolence

Friday, January 3, 2025

Our deepest sympathy to you all. Tommy was a great guy, nothing could keep him down . He was such an inspiration to all. Our deepest sympathy to all he will be missed. Love Tom and Linda

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Kara Dorsey uploaded photo(s)

Thursday, January 2, 2025

You were a wonderful friend with an amazing kind heart. Thank you for all the great times. We are going to miss you very much. Our love and heartfelt prayers go out to you Audrey and Michelle and the rest of the family and friends who have lost one of the good guys.

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JFDorsey@AOL.com Posted Jan 3, 2025 at 8:38 AM

I’ve been looking at pictures of Tom and what I see the kind of person we would all like to be but so few of us actually are. Thoughtful. Patient. Loyal. Funny. Measured. Dignified. Generous. Encouraging. Smart. Sharing. Adventurous (India?!?). Dog lover. Inspiring. Loving. If you take a really good look at a picture of Tom you can see all this and more. So do that. Then take a good look at yourself and ask how can I be like Tom. The world will be a better place if we all do. Bon Voyage

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Rosanna I Mariana posted a condolence

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Tom was such a wonderful person. We worked in the same building and would find time to visit with him. He had a contagious smile and sweet personality.

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Lisa Schreibman posted a condolence

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

I met Tom when he was four I was 12 and became a regular summer neighbor the following year. If there is one thread that holds together the childhood Tom to the adult Tom, it is determination. Now, determination when you are four and five and six years old is not always channeled particularly constructively. There is the somewhat infamous story of him deciding that licking the bridge would be a good idea in the dead of winter and having his tongue then stick to the bridge. Determination mixed with boredom lef him to put a handprint in the almost dry polyurethaned table. As he grew up determination, became in mixed with a good moral compass. We are grateful to Skip and Audrey for that - it could have been a much more problematic story without their guidance. And that mix of determination and doing right allowed him to become an Eagle Scout. And so he became a lifeguard and so he had an accident. For many the same set of circumstances would’ve led to an entirely different outcome. But for Tom, his determination caused him to enroll in a new college, learn to live life a different way, go to law school and become a lawyer. I’m not sure than 14 year old me having been pulled off a moving snowmobile by a jealous six-year-old Tommy would have imagined that as his future outcome. And having graduated from law school, he had choices in front of him. And the choice he chose was to work for government and help to ensure the companies do the right thing by their employees. He could, just as easily, have decided to work for a company and found loopholes to do the wrong thing by employees. And to all of Tom’s fellow bureaucrats (of which I am one) showing up and doing the right thing is the battle. Death is not what we want for anyone. We especially don’t want children to precede their parents. We don’t want siblings to die when they are still young because it leaves so many years in front for the others.There is an impossible gulf left for Audrey and for Michelle. The the older I become the less I feel like control. Death was not Tom’s choice. He could not determine his way out of it. However, if he was going to die, I think he would’ve wanted to do it with at least possible fuss. And I am glad it was quick for him. Lisa Schreibman

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Mike Alsdorf uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

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Mary Lambdin posted a condolence

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Tom was a wonderful young man. He accomplished a lot in his life. He had a wonderful smile. He will be missed by all who knew him. My prayers are with Tom’s mother and sister.

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The family of Thomas Gary Benjamin uploaded a photo

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Thomas Gary Benjamin

1978 - 2024

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The Decker Funeral Home in Windham, NY serves the mountain top area with Care, Concern and Respect.

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