George H. Benway, 83

George H. Benway, 83, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at Glens Falls Hospital following a long illness.

He was born on Nov. 4, 1928, in Danby, Vt., the son of the late George and Anna (Dennison) Benway.

George was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Whitehall and a former member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Granville.

He was employed for many years at Tatko Brothers Slate Company in Middle Granville until his illness forced him into retirement.

George enlisted in the United States Army in 1945 and was discharged in 1951. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

He and his former wife, Vera (Aubin) Benway, were united in marriage on Oct. 24, 1959, at Raceville Methodist Church. Vera passed away on July 7, 2000. George and Doris E. (Cook-Paddock) Benway, who were longtime friends of the church, were united in marriage on Jan. 28, 2001.

He enjoyed playing king pede, watching television and traveling. He also enjoyed his service work with the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Whitehall and Granville.

Besides his wife, Doris E. Benway of Whitehall, he is survived by eight daughters, Debra LaChapelle (Terry) of Queensbury, Tony (Edward “Skip”) Clement of Queensbury, Sandy Ross of Poultney, Vt., Mary Barbie of Plainville, Texas, Joan Carruth of Granville, Gail Pitts of Fort Ann, Sherry Mercardo of Granville, and Sonia Rothstein of Fayetteville, N.C. He is also survived by three sisters, Betty Saiz and Patty Valenza of New Mexico; Rene Dennison of Granville; one brother, Bill Hayes of Glens Falls, and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 168 Beckwith Road, Whitehall, with Elder Jerome Pollack officiating.

Graveside services will be private and at the convenience of the family in Greenmount Cemetery in Whitehall.

The family asks that memorial donations be made in George’s memory to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 168 Beckwith Road, Whitehall, NY 12887.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Michael G. Angiolillo Funeral Home, 210 Broadway, Whitehall, N.Y.