Benedict "Ben" J. Bakanec, 74, of Londonderry, NH died suddenly on December 29, 2009 at his home from heart related issues. Ben was born on March 6, 1935 in Lockport, IL, son of the late Frank and Anna (Hresan) Bakanec. He was raised in Joliet and Lockport, IL and spent several years in Diamond Bar and San Jose, CA, Hoffman Estates, IL, and Greenville, SC before moving to Londonderry in 1978.
Ben graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1953 and later received a BSME from Fresno (CA) State College and a MSBA from Los Angeles State College. He served with the US Army from 1954 to 1956 stationed in Fairbanks, AL.
His career was spent in the electronics industry in various sales and managerial capacities with Micro Switch, Kemet, ITT Components and Hamilton Avnet. Ben retired from Avnet Electronics in 1998 as Supplier Sales Manager. He was a communicant of St. Mark the Evangelist Church, Londonderry, a volunteer with the Caregivers of Greater Derry, and a former member of the Londonderry Rotary Club.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathleen "Kay" M. (Frederick) Bakanec of Londonderry, three sons, Gregory S. Bakanec and wife Jo Nell of Graham, NC, Bradley S. Bakanec and wife Mary of Tampa, FL, and Jeffrey M. Bakanec of Tampa, one brother, Joseph Bakanec of Waukegan, IL, two granddaughters, Kayla E. and Sarah A. Bakanec of Tampa, also several nieces and nephews. Ben loved spending time with his sons, their wives and his two granddaughters, both at their homes and in Hilton Head, SC. Golfing, politics, gardening and animals held a special place in his life. He was a man who spent countless hours helping friends in need and will be missed and loved by many.
Calling hours were held on Monday January 4, 2009 from 5 - 8pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00am in St. Mark's Church, 1 South Rd., Londonderry. Private family burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Londonderry. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049 or to St. Mark the Evangelist Church Charitable Fund, 1 South Rd., Londonderry, NH 03053.