Joseph A. Benacci

Joseph A. Benacci age 90 of Fairview passed away on Tuesday December 24, 2024 at UPMC Hamot surrounded by family. He was born in Erie on April 9, 1934, a son of the late Joseph A. and Catherine DeDionisio Benacci. 

Joe was a graduate of Millcreek High School where he played football and basketball and attended Penn State at Behrend College and then Penn State in State College, where he played football and enjoyed college life. Joe left school early to take over the family produce business after the passing of his father. Joe grew the business into a national truck leasing, sales and warehousing enterprise. He managed Ryder Truck Rental and founded Lake Erie Warehouse & Distribution Center, Erie Truck Rental, Truckmen Service, Lake Erie Trucking, Benco and was a National Lease provider. 

Joe was hard-working and enjoyed both the ups and downs of running a family business, often working 6 days a week even through age 90. He loved his trucks, warehouses and employees. Running these businesses was his passion. In his 70 years in business, he helped many other business owners when they were struggling. He was a man of great compassion and generosity. 

Joe was a well-respected Erie businessman and servant of the Erie community. He served on the Hamot Hospital Foundation Board for many years and was a member of the Truck Rental and Leasing Association for over 40 years. He served on the Board of the Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows and won the Penn State Alumni Fellow of the Year in 2002. In addition, Joe served on the Holy Cross Catholic Church building committee, and was a member of the Kahkwa Club; the Maennerchor Club and the Erie Club. 

Joe was a dedicated and loving husband to his cherished wife of 63 years Berit, loving father to his 5 children, and loving “Papa” to his 8 grandchildren. Joe loved family trips and get-togethers, creating unforgettable family memories of RV trips, trucking conventions and family reunions. Joe was also always ready to tell a good story (and all of his stories were good), especially those about his trucks, classic cars or shenanigans from his younger years. Joe was a kind man, with a warm heart and a sense of humor that would light up a room. 

Joe is survived by a loving family who will dearly miss him and who will forever be thankful for his kindness, love and the legacy that he left behind; his wife Berit Hultgren Benacci; his children: Joseph C. Benacci and his wife Lora of La Crosse, WI; Raymond A. Benacci and his wife Katherine of St. Augustine, FL: Kristina Hannum and her husband Christopher of Charlotte, NC; Jennifer Benacci of Phoenix AZ; and Karl Benacci of Erie; eight grandchildren: Anthony, Joseph (wife Claire), and Thomas Benacci; Madison, Julia (husband Chris Lohoff-Gaida), and CJ Hannum; Blaize Kavisic and Ryder Benacci; two sisters: Geraldine Marino and Dorothy Spitzer; brother-in-law Raymond Hultgren and his wife Anita; and many nieces and nephews. 

Son, Husband, Father, Papa, Mentor and Friend to many… our rock and North Star…. Continue to shine bright in Heaven. 

Friends may call at the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Service West Ridge, 3801 West 26th St. on Thursday January 2, 2025 from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm and are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Holy Cross Church, 7100 West Ridge Road, Fairview on Friday January 3, 2025 at 11am. Inurnment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the Benacci Scholarship at Penn State Behrend, 4701 College Dr., Erie, PA 16563, Holy Cross Church, 7100 West Ridge Rd, Fairview, PA 16415 or the Second Harvest Food Bank, 1507 Grimm Dr. Erie, PA 16501. Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnSCott.com.