Patrick Dean Benjamin
Services
Obituary
Patrick Dean Benjamin, 61, of Brookfield, Illinois passed away on October 16, 2023. He was born in 1961, in Oak Park, Illinois to David Fisher and Virginia Ruth Benjamin. Patrick left this Earth with the love of his family and multitude of friends.
Patrick was a graduate of Glenbard East High School in 1979 and received his Bachelor of Science from Western Illinois University in 1983. At WIU, Pat joined the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity where he served in many roles, including Alumni Correspondent, Secretary, House Corporation Representative, and Chapter President. He was also the recipient of the “Mr. Lambda Chi Alpha” award in 1982 – the highest fraternal honor at WIU. A dedicated Republican, Pat was the founder and first chairman of The York Township Teen Age Republicans (TARS). He would go on to volunteer for multiple presidential campaigns, which included the Reagan/Bush campaign in 1984, and later, he would hold numerous positions in the Central DuPage Young Republicans. Pat worked for the DuPage County Health Department after graduating from Western Illinois University, where he earned “Employee of the Year” honors in 1989. He would then spend nearly 30 years at the Village of La Grange, where he worked as the Director of Community Development and passionately worked to help revitalize La Grange’s beautiful historic downtown, which is comprised of many wonderful restaurants and small businesses.
He loved spending time with his family and friends, especially when it involved attending sporting events (for the Chicago Bears and NASCAR), camping, and listening to live music.
Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, David and Virginia, his wife, Catherine, and his Brittany Spaniels, Sadie “Ruth” and Miakoda. He is survived by his sister Sue Bobek, brother Mike Benjamin, sister Barb (Roger) Nystedt, and brother Kevin Benjamin; his stepson Matthew (Gabriela) Lettiere; his step-grandchildren Gwen and Charlie Lettiere; his nieces Julie Skinkle, Cindy (Dave) Hornik, Debbie Hays, and Yazmin Nystedt, and nephews Roger (Nikki) Nystedt Jr., Nathaniel Nystedt, and Francis David (Jason) Benjamin; his beloved Brittany Spaniel, Irie, who already misses Pat dearly.
Patrick was also a dear friend of Lewis “Louie” Paul of Lombard, Illinois for over 50 years. There is no greater loyalty to a friend than a brotherly relationship like that of Pat and Louie. Pat also leaves behind friends in many places, including high school buddies, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brothers, those he had the privilege of working with at the Village of La Grange, and the many close friends he met through various social events.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and technicians at Loyola Medical Center ER and MICU for their care and support. One staff member in particular, a Loyola Medical student by the name of Will, was amazing in ensuring that the family was supported throughout Patrick’s time in the hospital. Thank you, Will, and thank you to the doctors and nurses of Loyola Medical Center.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and those who knew him well.
Services & Interment Private
Arrangements entrusted to Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Patrick's memory :
The Wounded Warrior Project, 230 W Monroe St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60606
https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=26155&_gl=1*s4xgjp*_ga*MTMzNzYyNzY1OS4xNjk3NzQ2NjMw*_ga_R4MM40GQC5*MTY5Nzc0NjYzMC4xLjAuMTY5Nzc0NjYzMS41OS4wLjA.
or
Fisher House Hines VA Hospital 5000 S. 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141
https://fofhil.org/
or
American Brittany Rescue.
https://americanbrittanyrescue.org/help-rescue-brittanys/#donate
Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the link below and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o Patrick Benjamin Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
Patrick was a graduate of Glenbard East High School in 1979 and received his Bachelor of Science from Western Illinois University in 1983. At WIU, Pat joined the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity where he served in many roles, including Alumni Correspondent, Secretary, House Corporation Representative, and Chapter President. He was also the recipient of the “Mr. Lambda Chi Alpha” award in 1982 – the highest fraternal honor at WIU. A dedicated Republican, Pat was the founder and first chairman of The York Township Teen Age Republicans (TARS). He would go on to volunteer for multiple presidential campaigns, which included the Reagan/Bush campaign in 1984, and later, he would hold numerous positions in the Central DuPage Young Republicans. Pat worked for the DuPage County Health Department after graduating from Western Illinois University, where he earned “Employee of the Year” honors in 1989. He would then spend nearly 30 years at the Village of La Grange, where he worked as the Director of Community Development and passionately worked to help revitalize La Grange’s beautiful historic downtown, which is comprised of many wonderful restaurants and small businesses.
He loved spending time with his family and friends, especially when it involved attending sporting events (for the Chicago Bears and NASCAR), camping, and listening to live music.
Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, David and Virginia, his wife, Catherine, and his Brittany Spaniels, Sadie “Ruth” and Miakoda. He is survived by his sister Sue Bobek, brother Mike Benjamin, sister Barb (Roger) Nystedt, and brother Kevin Benjamin; his stepson Matthew (Gabriela) Lettiere; his step-grandchildren Gwen and Charlie Lettiere; his nieces Julie Skinkle, Cindy (Dave) Hornik, Debbie Hays, and Yazmin Nystedt, and nephews Roger (Nikki) Nystedt Jr., Nathaniel Nystedt, and Francis David (Jason) Benjamin; his beloved Brittany Spaniel, Irie, who already misses Pat dearly.
Patrick was also a dear friend of Lewis “Louie” Paul of Lombard, Illinois for over 50 years. There is no greater loyalty to a friend than a brotherly relationship like that of Pat and Louie. Pat also leaves behind friends in many places, including high school buddies, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brothers, those he had the privilege of working with at the Village of La Grange, and the many close friends he met through various social events.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and technicians at Loyola Medical Center ER and MICU for their care and support. One staff member in particular, a Loyola Medical student by the name of Will, was amazing in ensuring that the family was supported throughout Patrick’s time in the hospital. Thank you, Will, and thank you to the doctors and nurses of Loyola Medical Center.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and those who knew him well.
Services & Interment Private
Arrangements entrusted to Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Patrick's memory :
The Wounded Warrior Project, 230 W Monroe St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60606
https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=26155&_gl=1*s4xgjp*_ga*MTMzNzYyNzY1OS4xNjk3NzQ2NjMw*_ga_R4MM40GQC5*MTY5Nzc0NjYzMC4xLjAuMTY5Nzc0NjYzMS41OS4wLjA.
or
Fisher House Hines VA Hospital 5000 S. 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141
https://fofhil.org/
or
American Brittany Rescue.
https://americanbrittanyrescue.org/help-rescue-brittanys/#donate
Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the link below and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o Patrick Benjamin Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.