My Dad , My Hero , Died January 26, 2015

[AJB]

To my Ford GT and Ford Motor Company Family...

It is with much sadness I need to relay the information. My Dad, Andy J. Benedict, died last Monday, January 26, in Erie Pa, UPMC Hamot Hospital near our Pennsylvania Farm.
He was 92 years old.
Many of you met him on occasions in Detroit , at Ford World Headquarters , Ford Design Center and Product Development Center, on Woodward Avenue and last August at the ICON Garage during Woodward Cruise Week. He always had his WWII Veterans hat on his head....

Dad lived in Pittsburgh, was born in Detroit and was quite a 'gearhead'. He drove cars, tractors and motorcycles up till his last week on earth.

A WWII Veteran and B-24 Bomber Pilot and 1st Lieutenant with the Fifteenth Air Force, 450th Bomb Group... He flew 23 missions from Manduria Italy ranging from France, Germany , Austria and the Ploesti Oil fields and refineries in Romania. He crashed three (3) of the B-24's ..and luckily for me and my brothers , he survived all three...
He had many battle citations including the Chevalier Legion of Honor from France bestowed several years ago at the French Embassy in Washington DC.

He was active in the community and had a 40 year career in Graphic Arts including teaching Graphic Arts in Pittsburgh at the Parkway West Technical School. He graduated Cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Education when he was 61 years old.

He was looking forward to attending Rally10 here in Detroit this summer. Sadly there will be a large void for Margaret , Megan , Ryan and I this summer.

He was buried with full Military Honors on Saturday January 31, 2015.

Thank you.

Andy and Margaret. (AJB)

 

[bonehead]

My condolences, Andy.

 

[jaxgt]

So sorry to hear. May he rest in peace. He was a great american

 

[Shelby#18]

So sorry to see this. Prayers said tonight for your family.

 

[standj]

Sorry to hear about your Father.

John

 

[djs]

"A WWII Veteran and B-24 Bomber Pilot and 1st Lieutenant with the Fifteenth Air Force, 450th Bomb Group... He flew 23 missions from Manduria Italy ranging from France, Germany , Austria and the Ploesti Oil fields and refineries in Romania. He crashed three (3) of the B-24's ..and luckily for me and my brothers , he survived all three..."

This, Ladies & Gentlemem, was a special man in an era of countless special men. (Andy, my dad few B26s out of the 9th Army Air Force, first from the U.K., then France, then was stationed in Germany to train in A26s to transfer to the Pacific. Thankfully, President Truman saw fit to end the war before my dad went to the South Pacific.)

 

[Awsum GT]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I am sure you have many great memories of him to fill the void created by his loss. It is never a good time to lose our parents. I lost both of mine a few years ago and miss them every day. But we do have many memories to keep them alive in our hearts and minds.

 

[THamonGT]

What A Wonderful American Andy, so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your Family.

 

[Cobrar]

Sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your dad.

As you mentioned, I did have the pleasure of meeting your dad on a number of occasions. He was an amazing guy, always full of energy and wit! And I always enjoyed hearing his perspective!

 

[GTJack]

Andy. So sorry to hear of your loss. Another of the "Greatest Generation" has passed on, and for their children we remember with pride in what they accomplished in WW2 and then after returning home, and with great memories of times with them. My father was a navigator in a RAF Lancaster, was shot down, and spent three years in Stalag Luft 3 in Germany. Like you, I believe I inherited my love of cars and things mechanical from my father. By the way, my wife's Aunt Margaret took the same "elevator" on January 26. She was 105 and like your Dad had seen a lot, done a lot, and had a lot to be proud of in later years. I will be praying for you and Margaret to have peace in the days ahead.

 

[twobjshelbys]

So sorry to hear. Your dad was one of a great generation. Thank you sir for your service to our country.

 

[STORMCAT]

Andy, I'm very sorry to hear the news.. My condolences to you and the family. Your Dad sounds like he was true American Hero ! Thanks for sharing his story. We can never imagine what he went thru !! He will live on in your memories !! God Speed Andy J. Benedict !!

 

[fjpikul]

My condolences Andy. If he was anything like you, then he was a truly honorable man. May he RIP.

 

[tpraceman]

Andy, you such a great guy in every way a man can be. Truly a part of your dad resides in you. Others will know him by knowing you. I praay God will give you and your family peace at this time. Tom

 

[DakotaGT]

Very sorry for your loss. Sounds like he was an amazing man, with many incredible accomplishments. I am grateful for his service to this country.

 

[Empty Pockets]

'Been where you are, Andy.

There are no words.

Seriously. There aren't.

But, you know that, don't you.

'Very sorry for your loss...

 

[cobrajeff]

So sorry for your loss, Andy. Sounds like your Dad was a great American, part of a generation that really understood what it meant to stand for your convictions. May he RIP.

 

[RPM217]

Sounds like he was a great American, who lived a full life, right up until the end. Appreciation to him for his service, and may he rest in peace. Condolences to you and your family, may the memories and love you all shared, comfort you.

 

[pe2unia]

Andy and Margaret this sad news hits home for me to say the least. Such a sad time for you all and I wish I could have crossed paths with him as I know he was a true gentleman just as you are. Praying for you all during this very difficult time.

 

[Indy GT]

Andy, so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. Always difficult to realize finality to your life’s mentor. I have gone through this as well. What a great story of his accomplishments and we appreciate his service to our country. You certainly display many of the characteristics related in the story of his life. God bless and RIP.