Obituary: Joe Benkiel

Joe Benkiel, 79, of Atlanta, died Aug. 14, 2019. Joe was the center of attention, the man who got things done, was loved by all and was a stranger to none. He devoted most of his work life, in his own words, to being a “detailer, draftsman, designer, estimator, fabricator and erector of miscellaneous and structural steel.” Joe attended Chicago Technical College.

He and his beloved wife Carmen spent many years working for and leading the Pinch Hitters, a group of Jewish volunteers who took the place of nonmedical hospital staffers during Christmas.

He loved to play cards, collect coins, watch sports, gamble at casinos, and of course, spend time with family and friends. His Jewish faith was very important to him and was the guidepost of his life. There will be no one like him ever again.

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Joe is preceded in death by his wife, Carmen. He is survived by his son Harry Benkiel; daughters and sons-in-law Michelle and Bob Marks and Suzette and Jeff Shekell; grandchildren T.J., Lauren, Megan and Madison; brother Henri Benkiel; and sisters Renee Weingard and Sarah Speizer.

Graveside services were held at Aug. 16 at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.