TERREBONNE and LAFOURCHE Parishes, La.

OBITUARIY for BENCHEA, TRAIAN 
  
Submitted by: Louis Lavedan

Published in Houma Today & The Daily Comet from Dec. 2 to Dec. 3, 2014

Died: Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014

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BENCHEA, TRAIAN 

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Traian Benchea passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, at his home in 
Thibodaux, surrounded by his loved ones. 

He wished to celebrate his funeral mass in Thibodaux, with his dear friend, 
Monsignor Donald Ledet presiding at the Mass. 
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until funeral time Thursday at St. Thomas 
Aquinas Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday 
at the church. The committal service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8, in the 
mausoleum at North Lawn Cemetery in Canton, Ohio. 

He is survived by his beloved children, Thomas (spouse, Carrie) Benchea, Dr. 
Elizabeth (spouse, Matthew) Block, and Marissa Benchea; five cherished 
grandchildren, Sarah Lauren Benchea, Nathan Thomas Benchea, Thomas Ferdinand 
Block, Andrew James Block, and Eloise Virginia Block; sisters, Diana (spouse, 
Louis) Mascolo, Roxana (spouse, Donald) Koenig, Elizabeth (spouse, Dr. Herbert) 
Pfeiffer, and Sanda Marie Benchea; 12 nieces and nephews; and 25 great-nieces 
and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Doreen Scuderi 
Benchea; father, John Thomas Benchea; mother, Elizabeth Cazan Benchea; and 
brother ,John Aurel Benchea. 

Traian was born March 1, 1938, in Wheeling, West Virginia, and resided in 
Akron, Ohio, where he graduated from Buchtel High School prior to receiving his 
congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. 

Upon graduation from USNA in May 1963, he attended Language School and was 
stationed in Washington, D.C., Pensacola, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. 
He served in active duty until 1969 and with the U.S. Naval Reserves until 
1984, when he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. 
He was employed as a mechanical engineer with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company 
(Bridgestone/Firestone) for 32 years. 
Following the death of his beloved wife in 2009, Traian relocated to Thibodaux, 
where he was embraced by a community of faithful and loving friends. 

He was a gracious gentleman with a strong faith in God who took great joy in 
being a father and grandfather. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and a 
proud grandfather. 

Traian and his children are most grateful to the physicians, caregivers, and 
friends of this beautiful community who selflessly provided him with physical 
and spiritual nurturing during his battle with cancer. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Cystic 
Fibrosis Foundation or to St. Joseph Manor in Thibodaux. 

Landry's Funeral Home in Thibodaux is in charge of arrangements. 

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