Deacon Peter F. Benz, 72, of Baldwinsville passed away Thursday, July 10, 2008, at Loretto. He was born in Syracuse and lived in the area most of his life. Peter received his Masters Degree in Art from Goddard College in Vermont and was employed as an architect with King & King in Syracuse. He joined the Air Force during the Korean War and later joined the 174th Air National Guard from which he retired as SMSGT in 1988. Following the Korean War, Peter served as a missionary in Africa for three years. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 1978 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and served the smaller parishes within the diocese.

Survivors: his wife of 42 years, Judith (Forbes) Benz; a daughter, Lisa A. (Kenneth) Safft of Simsbury, CT; a son, Christopher P. Benz of Cherry Hill, NJ; two grandchildren, Matthew and Sydney Safft; a sister, Carol Olin; several half brothers and half sisters; several nieces and nephews.

Services: A Mass of Resurrection will be at 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 14, 2008, at St. Augustines Church, Baldwinsville. Private entombment in Resurrection Mausoleum in St. Mary's Cemetery, DeWitt. Calling hours are 4-7 P.M. Sunday, July 14, 2008, at St. Augustine's Church, 7333 O'Brien Road.