David Benjamin

David J. Benjamin, 91, formerly of Altoona, Pennsylvania, passed away Monday in St. Petersburg, Florida of natural causes. Mr. Benjamin was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania on April 10, 1907, son of Sol and Anna Benjamin, and was raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He married Paula Loraine Kairys, of Baltimore, Maryland on May 2,1954. Mr. Benjamin received a Bachelors of Arts degree from Yale University in 1939 and later served in the U.S Army, 97th Infantry Division as Second Lieutenant AGD. In 1946, he commenced the Benjamin Coal Company in Central Pennsylvania. During the 1970's and 1980's, the coal company was the largest surface mine operator in Pennsylvania, as well as the largest independently operated non-union coal company in the United States. In 1964 he was nationally acclaimed for owning and operating the largest electric dragline in the world. At that time, Mr. Benjamin also received a Governor's appointment as the only industry representative to serve on Pennsylvania's Surface Mining and Land Reclamation Advisory Board. In that position, he assisted in developing and field testing the first of Pennsylvania's coal surface mining reclamation laws, which later became a model for the federal government's regulations on coal surface mining and reclamation. Mr. Benjamin was a co-founding board member and former President of Penn Mont Academy, the second Montessori school ever established in the United States when it opened in 1961. He enjoyed golf, skiing, swimming and collegiate sports. He is survived by his wife, Paula; his children: Sally K. Benjamin of St. Petersburg. Florida, Harry K. Benjamin and wife Patricia A. of Altoona, Pennsylvania, and Thomas N. Benjamin of Newport Beach, California; his grandchildren are Elizabeth Benjamin and husband Adam Lardieri, Nicholas R., Jennifer L., and Emily C. Benjamin, and great-grandchild, Lila G. Benjamin, and two sisters: Charlotte Morris of Altoona, Pennsylvania and Roselle Fine of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 7th, 2008 at Temple Beth Israel in Altoona, Pennsylvania. A memorial service will be held in St. Petersburg at a later date. Please send contributions in lieu of flowers to ASPEC ( Academy of Senior Professionals @ Eckerd College) www.eckerd.edu.aspec. David C. Gross Funeral Homes is serving the family. Service Information