Bradley G. "Brad" Benton, 80, of Baldwinsville passed away Sunday August 13 at St. Joseph's Hospital.  He was born in Ithaca and moved to Baldwinsville in his early teens and was the oldest son of Ralph and Marie Benton.  Brad graduated from Baldwinsville High School in 1960 and served in the Air Force for 4 years having learned Russian at Skytop at Syracuse University.

He then served in Pakistan during Vietnam for 16 months.  After his service he came home and attended Onondaga Community College.  After receiving his bachelors degree from SUNY Oswego, he worked at Oswego County Social Services in Mexico.  Brad then worked for the NYS Department of Health as an auditor.  During that period a friend convinced him to join the Army reserve which he did for 16 years and became a 20 year veteran.

He retired from the state in 2004 and took up his passion for baseball by working with children in the Baldwinsville Little League as an umpire.  Brad loved the children and got a real kick out of teaching the T-Ball age how to play.  He loved singing and music which was encouraged by his father and grandmother.  He appeared in many Baldwinsville Theatre Guild productions such as, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, and The Music Man.  He also worked backstage on some of the productions.

Brad was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Baldwinsville and enjoyed singing in the choir.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Lynda M. Brown; sister-in-law, Sharyn Brown; fours sons, Philip M. Jocko of the Onondaga Reservation, John L. (Tricia) Jocko of Baldwinsville, Peter I. (Kristin) Benton of Mexico and Matthew L. (Jessica) Benton of Johnson City; brother, Tom (Lorraine); sister, Judy (Howie) MacLachlan; nine grandchildren, Ashton, Ethan, Morgan, Lily, Evee, Abigail, Dominic, Eric and Paul; several nieces and nephews including a grandniece.

A calling hour will be held Saturday, September 9 from 1 to 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Baldwinsville.  Services will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the church.

Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Baldwinsville, 17 W. Genesee St., Baldwinsville, NY 13027.