Michael S. Benedict, 68, of Cortland, died Friday, January 11, 2013 at St. Joseph's Health Center in Warren.

He was born June 5, 1944 in Youngstown, the son of Michael and Catherine O'Dea Benedict.

Michael was a 1962 graduate of St. Mary's High School. He began his work as an electrician at Ohio Lamp in 1967. He spent 35 years at Packard Electric.

He was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Robert's Catholic Church in Cortland. He enjoyed reading non-fiction and historical fiction novels, and traveling to warm, tropical islands. He loved the challenge of repairing things and will be remembered fondly for his creative and ingenious inventions that made life a bit easier. He always welcomed family and longtime friends into his home and he enjoyed visiting his children and grandchildren.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Jeannie Strah Benedict whom he married January 29, 1966. He is survived by his three daughters, Kerrie Shurtleff and her husband Shawn of Trevor, Wisconsin; Kelli Beckstrom and her husband Jason of Germantown, Maryland; and Kristin Parkinson and her husband Rich of Jacksonville, Florida.

Also surviving are his brother Paul Benedict and his wife Susie of Niles; four sisters, Cass Tabor and her husband Malcolm of Niles; Anne Cole and her husband Jerry of Warren; Rose Quinn of Niles; and Noreen Benedict of St. Paul, Minnesota.

His memory will live on among his five grandchildren, Tyler Parkinson, Julia and Luke Shurtleff, and Cole and Wade Beckstrom.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call Saturday from 11AM to 1PM at St. Robert's Catholic Church in Cortland. A Memorial Mass will immediately follow. Fr.Carl Kish will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the St. Robert's Family Picnic Fund.

Family and friends can view this obituary, sign the guest book, and send e-mail condolences at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com.