Adam Beni

Adam August Beni, 93, died on January 24, 2017, in Venice, Florida. We will forever mourn him. Because of his love and kindness, his compassion for all who were afraid or hurting, his fierce rage at injustice both within the system and without, his profound intelligence and audacious and ever-present sense of humor – and most importantly – his inspirational and sheltering love for his family (immediate and extended) this man was a hero to more people than we will ever know. Adam fought for women's rights, for equal rights, and for economic equality. He certainly was a hero to his three daughters, Susan Ann Wilkin, Carol Margaret Wixson, and Marilyn Jean Blake. Adam led a platoon in World War II, in France, and was a Lieutenant in the Army from 1944 to 1946. He certainly was a hero to his men. He returned home in 1946 to marry Mary Elizabeth Anderson from Orange, New Jersey, and together they raised their three girls. He certainly was a hero to her until she died in 1988 - way too early. In 1990, Adam married Marjorie Woods from Ambridge, Pennsylvania. He certainly was a hero to her until she died in 2012. His family size was doubled because he now had three more daughters, Susan Govatos, Marilyn Slevin, and Carolyn Yoder. He certainly was a hero to them all. For over 35 years, Adam was a teacher in New York, teaching special education in middle school, many times in the toughest of inner city schools. Over the years, many of those students have reached out to Adam. They always called to tell him he was their hero and to thank him for his love and optimism. Adam spoke of immortality - he believed that his genes, his memory, his eternal essence and, as a result, their profound effect on everyone he knew were now – and would always be – endlessly passed along to others through the families of: Susan and Glenn Wilkin, son Matthew Adam Wilkin, his wife Trudy Ann and daughter Sarah Mae; and daughter Sarah Ann Wilkin. Carol and James Wixson, daughter, Amy Sue Marzullo, her husband, Robert, her daughter, Marissa, and son, Tyler; daughter, Jenni Elizbeth Kassal, her husband, Richard, her daughters, Alexandra and Brooke; and son Adam Darryl Wixson, his wife Jennifer Sutter. Marilyn and Gregory Blake, daughter Elizabeth Catherine, her husband David White and son, Elliot Christopher; son, Christopher Michael; and daughter, Emily Christine. Susan and James Govatos, sons Matthew and Christopher Hoover. Marilyn and Donald Slevin, daughter, Jessica, son, Morgan Christopher. Carolyn and Randy Yoder. Donald Cameron, Adam's dear lifelong friend. Adam touched so many lives. He possessed an intrinsic goodness, and his family and friends sought to follow his example. He was part indeed part of the Greatest Generation. He lived and loved and fought to leave the world a better place for his children and his children's children – Adam's immortality. The memorial service for Adam is February 11, at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Farley Funeral Parlor. There will be a luncheon at Adam's family home at 968 Ryan Court, Venice, at 2:00 p. m. Directly following the memorial service, there will be a short graveside service at Venice Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: South County Food Pantry, 247 Center Court, Venice, FL 34285