Michael Bensorosky

Michael “Ben” Bensorosky passed away on December 2nd at the age of 92 surrounded by loved ones. Mike was born on November 21, 1929, to Ukrainian immigrants Olena Spitko and Theodore Bensorosky in Lopez, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Lopez on the family  homestead where he learned to fish, hunt and trap.
After graduating from Cherry Township High School, Mike headed to Detroit to work on the assembly line. He soon realized that this wasn’t for him and enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed at several bases throughout the United  States and spent time abroad as well.  He met his wife Marie while he was in Anchorage and they married in 1958. He served in both the Air Force and Army and had nearly 21 years in the armed services before retiring. He saw combat in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, earning a Purple Heart.
After retiring from the military in 1970, Mike and Marie settled in Keizer, Oregon to raise their four children. He began his second career as a postal mail carrier. This job suited him well as he liked to talk to people and bring a smile to their day. He often helped the elderly on his route with their lawn work or other needed work.
After retiring from the postal service in 1991, Mike enjoyed the company of his many friends, meeting weekly for coffee, fishing, or just shooting the bull. The job he loved the most was being a grandpa to his ten grandchildren. He made several trips back to Pennsylvania with his grandchildren to show them where he grew up, the local swimming hole, and where he hunted and fished. Special times were had visiting during old homes day, eating homemade pierogi and cabbage rolls, and spending time on his brother's homestead.
Mike will be remembered with a smile as we reflect on the enjoyable and humorous memories. He definitely broke the mold!  He was a doer and a hard worker and was always thinking of ideas and creating ways to do things better. He will be remembered by family as a fierce toe puller, avid walker and talker, disciplinarian, hunter, and someone who dearly loved the outdoors, his country, and his family. He will also be remembered as the one who brought the life to the party, loved to play jokes, and give advice to all when they didn’t want it! He enjoyed life and would want us to go outside and seek adventures, leave places better than we found them, and find beauty in the simple things. Until we see you again, dad we salute you with much love!
Mike is survived by his children, Lynn, (Rob), Shelley, (Lance), Mary, (Craig) and Mike, and  his brother Stephan; his grandchildren, Craig, Shannon, Alisha, Emily, McKenzie, Brianna, Kevin, Joseph, Ian and Malia; and his great grandchildren, Lucy, Hutch, and A.J. He was predeceased by his wife Alice “Marie”; sisters Mary and Elizabeth; brothers William, Metro, Joseph, Max and Leo.
A private service is planned for 2022. If you would like to contact the family, please do so through Keizer Funeral Chapel.