The Rev. Wayne F Benton, 55, vicar for priests in the Worcester Diocese, died in New England Medical Center after a long illness. At the time of his death he left his mother, Lydia M (Malley) Benton of Leominster; a brother, William Donald Benton of Randolph, and five sisters, Jane M Malouin of Fitchburg, Phyllis A Gagnon and Susan M Rocca, both of Leominster, Barbara D Hallen of Holden and Margaret A Clark of Greenfield Center, NY. He was born in Leominster, son of the late Lester F Benton.
He graduated from St. Bernard's High School, Fitchburg, in 1953. He earned a BA from Holy Cross and a divinity degree from St. Mary's in Baltimore. He pursued advanced studies at Georgetown, Catholic University and Boston University.
Father Benton was ordained in 1961. He was an associate pastor at North American Martyrs in Auburn and then taught at the former Sacred Heart Academy. Fr. Benton also served at St. Bernadette's in Northboro, St. Columba's in Paxton, and Prince of Peace in Princeton. In 1971 he became an assistant in the continuing education division of the diocesan Dept. of Education. In 1973, he was named chairman of the Commission of Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Affairs. In 1979, he became pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary in Spencer. In 1988 he was named vicar or priests. He also served on other boards as well.
His students at Sacred Heart remember him for his great enthusiasm about Vatican Council II as it was being held, and for his rousing rendition of Jingle Bells in Latin.
He graduated from St. Bernard's High School, Fitchburg, in 1953. He earned a BA from Holy Cross and a divinity degree from St. Mary's in Baltimore. He pursued advanced studies at Georgetown, Catholic University and Boston University.
Father Benton was ordained in 1961. He was an associate pastor at North American Martyrs in Auburn and then taught at the former Sacred Heart Academy. Fr. Benton also served at St. Bernadette's in Northboro, St. Columba's in Paxton, and Prince of Peace in Princeton. In 1971 he became an assistant in the continuing education division of the diocesan Dept. of Education. In 1973, he was named chairman of the Commission of Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Affairs. In 1979, he became pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary in Spencer. In 1988 he was named vicar or priests. He also served on other boards as well.
His students at Sacred Heart remember him for his great enthusiasm about Vatican Council II as it was being held, and for his rousing rendition of Jingle Bells in Latin.
The Rev. Wayne F Benton, 55, vicar for priests in the Worcester Diocese, died in New England Medical Center after a long illness. At the time of his death he left his mother, Lydia M (Malley) Benton of Leominster; a brother, William Donald Benton of Randolph, and five sisters, Jane M Malouin of Fitchburg, Phyllis A Gagnon and Susan M Rocca, both of Leominster, Barbara D Hallen of Holden and Margaret A Clark of Greenfield Center, NY. He was born in Leominster, son of the late Lester F Benton.
He graduated from St. Bernard's High School, Fitchburg, in 1953. He earned a BA from Holy Cross and a divinity degree from St. Mary's in Baltimore. He pursued advanced studies at Georgetown, Catholic University and Boston University.
Father Benton was ordained in 1961. He was an associate pastor at North American Martyrs in Auburn and then taught at the former Sacred Heart Academy. Fr. Benton also served at St. Bernadette's in Northboro, St. Columba's in Paxton, and Prince of Peace in Princeton. In 1971 he became an assistant in the continuing education division of the diocesan Dept. of Education. In 1973, he was named chairman of the Commission of Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Affairs. In 1979, he became pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary in Spencer. In 1988 he was named vicar or priests. He also served on other boards as well.
His students at Sacred Heart remember him for his great enthusiasm about Vatican Council II as it was being held, and for his rousing rendition of Jingle Bells in Latin.
He graduated from St. Bernard's High School, Fitchburg, in 1953. He earned a BA from Holy Cross and a divinity degree from St. Mary's in Baltimore. He pursued advanced studies at Georgetown, Catholic University and Boston University.
Father Benton was ordained in 1961. He was an associate pastor at North American Martyrs in Auburn and then taught at the former Sacred Heart Academy. Fr. Benton also served at St. Bernadette's in Northboro, St. Columba's in Paxton, and Prince of Peace in Princeton. In 1971 he became an assistant in the continuing education division of the diocesan Dept. of Education. In 1973, he was named chairman of the Commission of Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Affairs. In 1979, he became pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary in Spencer. In 1988 he was named vicar or priests. He also served on other boards as well.
His students at Sacred Heart remember him for his great enthusiasm about Vatican Council II as it was being held, and for his rousing rendition of Jingle Bells in Latin.
