Obituary of Mr. Alphonsus Benusis

Alphonsus "Al" Benusis 

Peacefully at home on July 2, 2024 in his 95th year.

Loving and beloved husband for 73 years of Mary, loving and devoted father of their daughter, MaryAnne and her husband, Leo Ferreira, loving brother of Bertha.

Al was born in Palanga, Lithuania to his parents Kazys and Ona Beniusis on March 1, 1930. In 1942 together with his parents and younger brother, Albin (all now deceased) the family left Lithuania in his father's fishing boat in order to escape the Communists. In attempting to reach Sweden, the family was captured by the Nazis. His father was imprisoned and Al was separated from his mother and brother and was forced at the age of 12 to spend the remainder of the war working on a farm in Germany; his mother and 10-year-old brother were made to work on a separate farm. Following the end of the war he was reunited with his mother and brother. Through the effort of the The Red Cross the family of four were re-united in Sweden. In 1949, following the birth of his sister Bertha, the family of five immigrated to Canada and, after spending a year working on farms in Alberta, moved to Toronto in 1950. Al immediately embraced the freedom Canada provided and became a lifetime fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Al and Mary met in Toronto that year and were married in 1951. His family all became proud Canadians and Al worked in the printing business as a Lithographer up until his retirement. Al and Mary travelled extensively during their retirement years, Hawaii becoming their favourite place for winter vacations. His friends and neighbours will fondly remember him as "Big Al".

The family wishes to thank Dr. Gregory Gelman, family physician, who took the very best care of Al and saw to it that he had excellent specialized care on required occasions. Having devoted his life to his loving family, may he now rest in eternal peace. A private cremation has taken place.