Terry E Benjamin, (1947 - 2021) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Live with an Attitude of Gratitude

73 years old
Born on December 24, 1947 in Framingham, United States
Passed away on January 21, 2021 in Longmont, Colorado, United States

Hi All- We are hosting a Memorial Service for Terry June 5th 4-6PM @ Roosevelt Park in Longmont. Find details here https://fb.me/e/1DAtDlBU4

Please upload any pictures, videos, notes, memories or stories from your experience with Terry so his life can be remembered and shared forever.

We are working on ways to memorialize Terry's life, donations can be made here: gf.me/u/zg2zva

This memorial website was created to share memories of, Terry Benjamin 73 years old, born on December 24, 1947 and passed away on January 21, 2021. We will remember him forever.

More information will be added about his life as we process all of this. We will wait for a memorial service until we can all get together and celebrate Terry’s life. We’re thinking sometime warmer and outdoors which he would love.
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Terry Benjamin, 73, died peacefully in his sleep with his son at his side January 21, 2021. Amazingly, the day before his passing, he had the satisfaction of watching the inauguration, capped off by the wonderful fireworks show which he loved.

He was born in Framingham, MA but spent the majority of his childhood as a “wacko” from Waco, TX. After receiving a Master’s in Social Welfare from the University of Kansas in 1975, he moved to Colorado.

Terry spent his life working to uplift the community of Boulder County, being a wonderful family man, enjoying the beautiful mountains of Colorado, cheering on Colorado sports teams, golfing, scuba diving the bright blue waters of Cozumel and bringing a joyful passion to every moment.

Terry was the Executive Director of EFAA for 33 years and was also a founding member of OUR Center, where he simultaneously served as executive director for 12 years. He helped thousands of families during their most challenging times...always focused on treating every person with compassion, dignity and respect.

Upon retirement, Terry received many awards including, the top award from the Colorado Nonprofit Association, the United Way Spirit of Community Award and the Daily Camera Lifetime Achievement Pacesetter Award recognizing his impact on the community.

Honoring his 33 year dedication to the city of Boulder and Boulder County, they declared June 26th & 28th 2013, Terry Benjamin Day. Terry positively impacted thousands of people’s lives. He was continually focused on how he could bring joy, laughter, compassion and empathy to everyone who met him.

He is survived by his son, Jordan; wife, Cathy; her daughters Kate & Allison; granddaughter Amaryllis; ex-wife/friend Carol Kovner and dog Addie.

Memories, photos, videos, donations & more information about a memorial service can be found at forevermissed.com/terry-benjamin

Tributes

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February 19, 2021

Jordan, Cathy and Carol - my heart is with you and all of your family - Terry will be missed. I'm sorry I missed that last beer with him. Terry was a huge inspiration to me - I was pretty young when I joined the EFAA board in the early 1980s. Terry was on a mission back then and we were (to a large extent) along for the ride. I think all of us board members learned from Terry (by example) the many different ways we could give back to the community. It became a lifetime of giving back for me and motivated me to pass it on to my extended circle. I am forever grateful for those experiences - they have been so rewarding and hopefully, impactful. It's pretty amazing to think of the number of people Terry directly and indirectly influenced with his leadership, selflessness and his desire to help those in need. It was fun to keep in touch through the years - 2 Texan "yahoos" just having a few beers. Here's to Terry!

February 18, 2021

Terry was an amazing human being. I first met him back in the late 80's/early 90's when my husband Bob started the Special Needs Fund with Margie Rotkin under the umbrella of EFAA. Then, sometime way back, Bob and I decided to invite him and Cathy (my former law partner) to dinner at our home. Both were alone and we thought they might like each other. I still remember that dinner. The rest is history. I wish I had stayed in closer touch with them. It's been years, and I'm very sad to learn that Terry has passed. He will be sorely missed in the community and by his family and friends.

February 12, 2021

Terry always inspired me in his dedication to our Boulder County human services safety net, and with his passion for EFFA, which he loved so much. His commitment and tireless work is one of the reasons that safety net became one of the strongest in the state, and beyond. I always think of him with that wonderful big smile, and memories of the best hugs ever!

February 10, 2021

Terry and I did not become close friends until we both retired. In the summer of 2012, Terry invited me to join his friend Don so that the “three amigos” could hike open space and mountains trails in search of picture-perfect flowers, streams, lakes, peaks and valleys. During weekly 4-5 hour hikes we delved into every national, state and local economic, civic, political and social issue that popped into one of our minds. If only our civic and political leaders could have absorbed and implemented our brilliant concepts and solutions, we would now have a “near perfect union.” It was during these long discussions, along with extended cups of coffee and an occasional beer, that I discovered that Terry’s heart was a big as his birth state of Texas. I will truly miss Terry’s engaging mind, his generous heart and his unparalleled optimism with which he approached each day. I consider it a great privilege to be able to call Terry Benjamin one of the best friends I ever had.

I uploaded a couple of photos of hikes we took.

February 2, 2021

The relationship with Terry through his leadership of EFAA over the decades was a blessing! His caring and vibrant spirit was always shared in personal conversations. In addition to serving the needs of our community exceptionally, he also was committed to the coordination and collaboration of all caregivers. I remember Terry with joyful thanksgiving, together with our larger community, and I pray for the peace and hope of his family.

February 1, 2021

Terry,
writing directly to you because I know you are watching all of us gathering round and you are beaming in the glory or what your life built. Thank you for all you wonderful words of wisdom and caring during the sheltering days in Boulder County. You gave me such hope at times when I was thinking I was defeated and such caring and connection that I could never feel alone in the work that had chosen us. You were and are a shining light for service and commitment and I thank you, you built a legacy out or kindness, vision, patience and tenacity. Bless your family and may they be comforted by knowing your impact on so many. A life well lived.

February 1, 2021

I became involved as a volunteer with EFAA because of Terry's bright light of compassion. He was a great leader and part of the soul of our community. Audrey and I will miss him and send our love and condolences to Cathy.

February 1, 2021

Terry....a wonderful light in the world. I think he enjoyed life 4 times more than any other human being I have ever known. That means he lived to 292. He dedicated his life to helping others and loved people and places and causes like crazy! I'll always remember the fantastic dinner we had at Filomina's in Washington DC when Obama was inaugurated. He helped make it an evening to remember our whole lives through. Farewell old friend.

February 1, 2021

Oh how sad we are to learn about Terry's passing. What a giant he was for this community and beyond. Absolutely perfect that he got to watch the Inauguration and the fireworks, that celebration could have been for him. While I think of him for his extraordinary work at EFAA, I also admired him that he had the good sense to marry Cathy and for what a wonderful Dem he was. We worked together on so many good causes, some political, some not, but always with a common theme of what was just and fair to all. He set a high standard for all who knew him.

Rollie joins me in sending our deepest sympathy to his family and his legions of friends and supporters.

February 1, 2021

I met Terry in 1980 when I was the brand new director of Boulder County Community Action's Food Program. Terry was at EFAA. I was in my first job; Terry was, as ever, seasoned and comfortable in his. I brought an idea to him that he thought needed "some improvement" and through his coaching we became fast friends. One of my favorite memories was when Terry, Kim Green, Margie Rotkin and I worked together to create the first Community Food Share "warehouse" in a shower stall in the basement of ECHO House. This is just a tiny example of the many innovative ways that Terry sought to disrupt the pain of poverty in our community. We owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. I will forever miss him.

January 30, 2021

I met Terry when we both worked at the Waco Tribune Herald. We both went to the University of Kansas for graduate degrees and we’re married in 1972 in Lawrence, KS. We moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1975. After we divorced, we remained friends. He was always devoted to social welfare concerns, and I am proud of what he accomplished. Blessings to his family. He will be missed.

January 30, 2021

I got to know Terry as a member of the Bridges Group, nonprofit ED's who met monthly to share and learn from each other. Terry was not only funny and fun-loving, but kind to everyone. Although I never got to know him as well as if we had worked together or lived closer to each other, he was one of my favorite people. He was a wonderful example of how to live your life to the fullest, both personally and professionally. Thinking of you, Cathy and Jordan, and can only imagine how much you miss him.

January 28, 2021

Terry and I were golf buddies. We played in a regular scheduled game, as partners in a tournament, and even snuck away for a golf weekend in Winter Park. It was always a pleasure to play with Terry as he was a good golfer, but more importantly, had a pleasant and calm disposition on the course. He will be missed.

January 27, 2021

I met Terry through Cathy and being an Allenspark neighbor. I didn’t know him except for several years before his diagnosis. I knew he was an amazing supporter and leader of community nonprofit work. But he was retired and that was not our connection. The connection was his effortless way of lifting spirits, mine in particular, and in seeing beauty in small mountain moments, and in mystery books. We shared those back and forth! Small but all important moments to me. He was a good friend to all. I miss him deeply.

January 26, 2021

Terry and Cathy were our neighbors in Allenspark Colorado and we loved them dearly. Even when we knew he was in pain he managed to care about our Lab Road community and about us individually. A genuine, gentle giant of a person I always left an interaction with him with a smile. I will miss him. We will all miss him.

January 25, 2021

Terry was my brother-in-law and is how I knew him, at least for the first few years. And I loved him as if he were a brother, so extraordinatily kind and generous. Our daughter lived with them as she established herself in college there, at the same time as our very pregnant niece came down from the high country to stay with them awaiting the birth of her twins. It was a full house nearly always, but he welcomed everyone as family, without question. Most astounding was the devotion he had to causes he believed in, always striving to grow and learn and be more impactful. Someone once said to me "The tragedy in death is not in dying, but in the things that die within us while we live." Terry lived each day fully and with joy, and gave that to all he touched. If we could all live such a life.

January 24, 2021

I'll always remember the heartfelt emotion Terry expressed when talking about the work of EFAA and our responsibility to take care of one another. He always encouraged me, helping me to build confidence in my skills. We always joked about how funny it was that we were actually born in the same hospital in Framingham, MA.

January 23, 2021

Terry was a very nice class mate. Always a gentleman. We had a wrong
address for him for earlier reunions. But so glad he was able to make the ones he did. I remembered getting a picture of Terry and you. You could see how proud he was of you. Prayers for the family in this difficult time. Memories are always in your heart. Keep my email and I will keep in touch with you. Our next reunion will be in October . I know Terry will be with us in spirit. We will acknowledge that spirit.

January 23, 2021

From the time I can remember, your dad always called me Fireball. I don’t know where he came up with it, but as a little girl, I always felt special that he had a nickname for me. I know he is proud of the kind, generous man you’ve become. I love you.

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His Life

Terry Benjamin Speech Receiving William Funk Award for Building Stronger Communities

January 23, 2021

Terry's speech about the power of the non-profit work done in the community and reflecting light into dark places.

Terry Wins The 2013 Spirit Of The Community Award

January 23, 2021

Terry was so proud of a couple of the awards that recognized him for the work he did helping others in the community. Lifting lives up and treating people with dignity.

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