David Ernest Benton
Born: 05 December 1939
Died: 13 February 2014
David “slipped the surly bonds of Earth” in the evening of February 13, 2014. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, on December 5, 1939 to Mary Constance (Jackson) and Ernest Harold Benton. He grew up in Toronto and loved spending his summers at Lake Simcoe, Ontario where he worked with the horses and other animals on two local farms. In 1958 he entered H.M.C.S. Venture, the Canadian naval academy in Esquimalt, B.C., completing his senior year as Cadet Captain. While at Venture, David began his flying training starting with Chipmunks. Further training after graduation took him to the Prairies and then the East Coast where he flew Trackers off H.M.C.S. Bonaventure. While in the Royal Canadian Navy, David cruised the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the North Sea. In 1965, David left the Navy and joined Air Canada, where he spent almost 35 years flying all over the world piloting many types of aircraft, “never bending a wingtip.” He retired on December 31, 1999, at age 60, as a 747-400 Captain, second in seniority.
David married Ginny, who he called “the love of his life”, in 1991 having met her in 1959 when they were
teenagers. They moved to Blaine in 1992 where they both became active in community affairs. David taught weather and boating for the Bellingham Power Squadron and was a member of the Bellingham Yacht Club. He also became involved in local politics. David was an active member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Blaine and was a Lector for many years. He achieved the Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.
David enjoyed cruising the Puget Sound and B. C. coast aboard his MV Antonette, participating in the life of the church, and happily playing with his dogs. He was a kind man with a keen mind, a big heart and an incredible sense of humor.
David is survived by his wife Ginny; six brothers, Roy Benton, John Benton, Gregory Benton, Tom Benton, Stewart Muckle, Daniel Muckle, and one sister, Helen Muckle; five children, Susan, Stephen, Michael, K.B., and Cricket; nine grandchildren, Matthew, Scott, Hayley, Josh, Abbi, Julie, Jack, Catrin and Jesse; and one great-grand-daughter Sophia Noelle born on his birthday December 5, 2013.
The family would like to thank David’s doctors and the Nursing staff on the 2nd Hospital for the loving care they gave him.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 11a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, H Street & 6th, in Blaine, WA.
In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity.
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