Obituaries
Melvin Curtiss Benzie, Jr
November 20, 2025
Melvin Curtiss Benzie, Jr., “Kurt”, a lifelong resident of Bradford, VT, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on November 10, 2025, at DHMC, with his nieces and nephews by his side.
Kurt was born in Barre, VT, on July 28, 1954, to Delphine A. (Wheeler) and Melvin C. Benzie, Sr. He was raised in the family home, which is now the site of Oxbow High School, before the family sold the property and moved to Main Street to run the Texaco Station, where he continued to live until his passing. He held on tight to the many memories he had there with his parents and siblings and the memories they had made at the family camp, at Harvey’s Lake. He never missed a day of school other than the first day of Kindergarten when he walked home after his mother dropped him off, as he did not want to go. He attended Bradford Academy before going to Oxbow High School and becoming part of the first graduating class in 1972. Straight from school, he worked at Upper Valley Press until retirement. Where he was the happiest, as they knew how much fishing and hunting meant to Kurt. Therefore, he had the greatest benefit; if he wanted time off to do either, there were never any questions asked.
He leaves behind his sister, Tina M. Benzie, and her dog Milo of Bradford, VT; niece Katie and husband Jason Bourgeois, their children, MaryJane and her dog Clifford, Anastase, and Mazie of Bradford, VT; niece Tina and husband Jeff Foster, and their son Dylan of Springfield, VT; and great nephew Michael Needham of Barre, VT; and many other loved ones.
In his spare time, when not at the water or in the woods, you could find him at the Racquet Shack playing wallyball (something he and his sister Tina enjoyed), on a softball field, basketball court, horseshoe pit, pool hall, or racetrack. He loved spending time with family, especially Aunt Jan’s Dinners. His friends were just as important to him as he considered them family as well. He was always there when needed. He was everyone’s favorite DD. Whether it be trivia night at Colitina, just another night at the Bear, a party, or a concert, you could count on him to get you home safely. To some, he was a man with few words; to others, he was a man with countless stories.
He did not have any children of his own, but he had plenty in his life that he loved and loved him back. He was very proud of his nieces for all their accomplishments. Their children being the biggest accomplishment that he was able to enjoy! Even at his worst, and when he couldn’t see, you would still see him behind the backstop of the softball field. Always showing up for family. He was proud to be there for MaryJane’s softball championship in HS and College, and when she graduated with a psychology degree. He was very happy when she moved back from MT and would go to trivia night. As he did not like to lose, and she was the music queen. He loved watching Anastase and Mazie play basketball, but understood when they gave it up to focus on softball, and was their biggest supporter. Watching Anastase win 5 straight championships, and with Mazie for 3, brought the biggest smile to his face. He was very proud of Anastase for signing last year to continue her softball career at West Virginia State while working towards becoming an oncology nurse. Along with his pride for Mazie, committing to UVA Wise, to continue her softball career, and work towards her oncology nursing degree. He was looking forward to watching her sign on the 23rd of theis month. While he might not be here for that, he was able to see her first couple of deer, and that was a special moment for both of them. He loved the fact that Mazie was just getting into fishing, and Dylan already had a love for it. He was always proud of Dylan’s bowling performance and soccer abilities. Dylan’s work ethic was also something he was proud of, as it reminded him of himself when he was just out of school.
He is predeceased by his parents, sister Marilyn I. Benzie, niece Tammy Piper, and many other loved ones.
The family would like to thank all his friends for stepping up and helping him out in recent years when his sickness was too much. There are way too many to mention individually. A special thanks to Dennis Samuel and a huge thank you to Sally Spear for always making sure he had car rides to doctor’s appointments. A big thank you to Garrett Cook from the Colitina Exit for noticing he loved going to trivia, but with his sickness was not comfortable and ordered him a special bar stool so he could continue to go.
My last thank you is to the Hungry Bear and their crew. He loved being there, as we all know, even at his weakest. They have graciously agreed to let us have his celebration of life there on Saturday, December 6, from 12 – 2 PM. It is located at 776 Lower Plain, Bradford, VT. Feel free to dress casually and come in camo. His graveside service will be later in the spring of 2026.
To offer the family an online condolence, please visit www.rickerfh.com
Ricker Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Woodsville is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kurt was born in Barre, VT, on July 28, 1954, to Delphine A. (Wheeler) and Melvin C. Benzie, Sr. He was raised in the family home, which is now the site of Oxbow High School, before the family sold the property and moved to Main Street to run the Texaco Station, where he continued to live until his passing. He held on tight to the many memories he had there with his parents and siblings and the memories they had made at the family camp, at Harvey’s Lake. He never missed a day of school other than the first day of Kindergarten when he walked home after his mother dropped him off, as he did not want to go. He attended Bradford Academy before going to Oxbow High School and becoming part of the first graduating class in 1972. Straight from school, he worked at Upper Valley Press until retirement. Where he was the happiest, as they knew how much fishing and hunting meant to Kurt. Therefore, he had the greatest benefit; if he wanted time off to do either, there were never any questions asked.
He leaves behind his sister, Tina M. Benzie, and her dog Milo of Bradford, VT; niece Katie and husband Jason Bourgeois, their children, MaryJane and her dog Clifford, Anastase, and Mazie of Bradford, VT; niece Tina and husband Jeff Foster, and their son Dylan of Springfield, VT; and great nephew Michael Needham of Barre, VT; and many other loved ones.
In his spare time, when not at the water or in the woods, you could find him at the Racquet Shack playing wallyball (something he and his sister Tina enjoyed), on a softball field, basketball court, horseshoe pit, pool hall, or racetrack. He loved spending time with family, especially Aunt Jan’s Dinners. His friends were just as important to him as he considered them family as well. He was always there when needed. He was everyone’s favorite DD. Whether it be trivia night at Colitina, just another night at the Bear, a party, or a concert, you could count on him to get you home safely. To some, he was a man with few words; to others, he was a man with countless stories.
He did not have any children of his own, but he had plenty in his life that he loved and loved him back. He was very proud of his nieces for all their accomplishments. Their children being the biggest accomplishment that he was able to enjoy! Even at his worst, and when he couldn’t see, you would still see him behind the backstop of the softball field. Always showing up for family. He was proud to be there for MaryJane’s softball championship in HS and College, and when she graduated with a psychology degree. He was very happy when she moved back from MT and would go to trivia night. As he did not like to lose, and she was the music queen. He loved watching Anastase and Mazie play basketball, but understood when they gave it up to focus on softball, and was their biggest supporter. Watching Anastase win 5 straight championships, and with Mazie for 3, brought the biggest smile to his face. He was very proud of Anastase for signing last year to continue her softball career at West Virginia State while working towards becoming an oncology nurse. Along with his pride for Mazie, committing to UVA Wise, to continue her softball career, and work towards her oncology nursing degree. He was looking forward to watching her sign on the 23rd of theis month. While he might not be here for that, he was able to see her first couple of deer, and that was a special moment for both of them. He loved the fact that Mazie was just getting into fishing, and Dylan already had a love for it. He was always proud of Dylan’s bowling performance and soccer abilities. Dylan’s work ethic was also something he was proud of, as it reminded him of himself when he was just out of school.
He is predeceased by his parents, sister Marilyn I. Benzie, niece Tammy Piper, and many other loved ones.
The family would like to thank all his friends for stepping up and helping him out in recent years when his sickness was too much. There are way too many to mention individually. A special thanks to Dennis Samuel and a huge thank you to Sally Spear for always making sure he had car rides to doctor’s appointments. A big thank you to Garrett Cook from the Colitina Exit for noticing he loved going to trivia, but with his sickness was not comfortable and ordered him a special bar stool so he could continue to go.
My last thank you is to the Hungry Bear and their crew. He loved being there, as we all know, even at his weakest. They have graciously agreed to let us have his celebration of life there on Saturday, December 6, from 12 – 2 PM. It is located at 776 Lower Plain, Bradford, VT. Feel free to dress casually and come in camo. His graveside service will be later in the spring of 2026.
To offer the family an online condolence, please visit www.rickerfh.com
Ricker Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Woodsville is assisting the family with arrangements.
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