William F. Benedict

William F. Benedict, age 87, formerly of Wayne, New Jersey, and most recently of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025.

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, and raised in Belleville, he was the eldest of three children born to William and Eleanor Benedict. He attended Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, graduating in 1956, and went on to Seton Hall University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

In 1961, William got the call to serve his country in the United States Army and served honorably until 1962. Following his military service, he began a distinguished career with the International Nickel Company in New York City. Over the course of thirty-five years, he rose through the ranks, heading the accounting department in Sterling Forest, New York, and ultimately as a financial executive before retiring in 1996. He was widely respected and deeply admired by his colleagues and peers for his integrity, leadership, and dedication.

In retirement, William devoted himself to faith-based service and charitable work. He became a Knight of Malta and later took the vow of obedience.  Through the Knights of Malta, he was one of the founders of their Prison Ministry program.  For this work, he received the President’s Award from the American Association.  He also received the Caritas Award from the Catholic Diocese of Paterson for his dedication and outreach to the incarcerated.  He went on to found the charity “Knights For Christ The Healer” which supported members of the military and first responders, coordinated an annual Mass of Appreciation and awarded scholarships to children of active duty and honorably discharged veterans.

A devout Catholic, William served as a trustee of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne for twenty-five years and was a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Long Beach Island. He was also a proud Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus in Wayne and Manahawkin.

William met the love of his life, Theresa Trivigno, in 1960 while attending college. As fate would have it, they fell in love and were married on October 3, 1964, at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne surrounded by friends and family.  They made their home in Wayne, where they raised their two sons, William and Gerard. Approximately thirteen years ago, they relocated to Long Beach Island. Family and faith were the cornerstones of William’s life, and he cherished sixty-one years of loving and loyal marriage to Theresa.  Nothing in the world meant more to William than providing for and spending time with his family and the people he loved. 

In 2015, William endured the profound loss of his son Gerard. Through this tragedy, his faith and the love of his family sustained him and remained his source of strength.

William enjoyed hunting, golfing, real estate, and closely following the stock market. He possessed a remarkable ability to connect with others.  He was able to engage in conversation on nearly any topic and made friends wherever he went. It was said that no matter where he traveled, he was sure to encounter someone he knew.

William will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, faithful son, brother and uncle, and a man whose warmth, generosity, and true faith left a lasting impression on every life he touched.

William is survived by his wife Theresa (Trivigno) of Long Beach Island, NJ, his son Bill Benedict of Manahawkin, NJ, his only grandchild Katherine Benedict of Little Falls, NJ, and his sister-in-law Diane Benedict of St Helena, SC.  He was predeceased by his son Gerard M. Benedict (2015), and his two brothers Raymond J. Benedict (2023), and Gerard J. Benedict (1957).