2008 Woodie Awards
Benedict enjoyed 'sharing life with others'
By: Nick Persons
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News
Andrew Benedict never passed up the opportunity to express his feelings.
"He had a way of always making you feel special," said Rhonda Benedict, Andrew's mother. "He would give you a big hug and tell you he loved you."
Andrew, a Lowell senior, died at 10:50 p.m. Tuesday following a snowmobile accident in Kalkaska County. He was 21.
He lost control of his snowmobile while riding on a trail near his family's cottage Saturday afternoon, said Jacque Benedict, Andrew's sister. He suffered a major brain stem injury and was unresponsive and in critical condition until his death.
Rhonda said CMU students stopped by the hospital and told her "he was the nicest kid they ever met."
Andrew graduated from Lowell High School before coming to CMU, where he planned to graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in accounting.
"I'll just remember him as a very sweet and funny person," said Niles sophomore Nicole Cooper, who was Andrew's girlfriend for more than a year. "He was always smiling, always laughing. He'd do anything for anyone."
Ray Benedict, Andrew's father, said his son loved to snowmobile.
"He enjoyed sharing life with others," he said. "He understood responsibility, but he tried to look at life as a journey that should be enjoyed. He always tried to find the fun side of things."
Jacque, who played softball at CMU, graduated last fall. She said her brother was very family-oriented.
"He always knew what to say to make you laugh," she said. "I know it's cliché (to say) 'They always make you laugh,' but Andrew did. He was not only my brother, but one of my best friends."
Jacque said he was loyal to loved ones and frequently supported her in athletic events.
"He would do anything for you," she said. "He was just that type of person."
Andrew donated his organs to Gift of Life. Ray said although the miracle he hoped for didn't happen, other families will now benefit from his son's decision.
A funeral will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday at Ada Bible Church, 8899 Cascade Road, SE in Ada.
news@cm-life.com
"He had a way of always making you feel special," said Rhonda Benedict, Andrew's mother. "He would give you a big hug and tell you he loved you."
Andrew, a Lowell senior, died at 10:50 p.m. Tuesday following a snowmobile accident in Kalkaska County. He was 21.
He lost control of his snowmobile while riding on a trail near his family's cottage Saturday afternoon, said Jacque Benedict, Andrew's sister. He suffered a major brain stem injury and was unresponsive and in critical condition until his death.
Rhonda said CMU students stopped by the hospital and told her "he was the nicest kid they ever met."
Andrew graduated from Lowell High School before coming to CMU, where he planned to graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in accounting.
"I'll just remember him as a very sweet and funny person," said Niles sophomore Nicole Cooper, who was Andrew's girlfriend for more than a year. "He was always smiling, always laughing. He'd do anything for anyone."
Ray Benedict, Andrew's father, said his son loved to snowmobile.
"He enjoyed sharing life with others," he said. "He understood responsibility, but he tried to look at life as a journey that should be enjoyed. He always tried to find the fun side of things."
Jacque, who played softball at CMU, graduated last fall. She said her brother was very family-oriented.
"He always knew what to say to make you laugh," she said. "I know it's cliché (to say) 'They always make you laugh,' but Andrew did. He was not only my brother, but one of my best friends."
Jacque said he was loyal to loved ones and frequently supported her in athletic events.
"He would do anything for you," she said. "He was just that type of person."
Andrew donated his organs to Gift of Life. Ray said although the miracle he hoped for didn't happen, other families will now benefit from his son's decision.
A funeral will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday at Ada Bible Church, 8899 Cascade Road, SE in Ada.
news@cm-life.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Taylor Thomson
posted 3/26/08 @ 2:12 PM EST
Andrew, was my cousin. Today in class, we were watching a movie about brain stem injury's and i lost it and has to leave. I googled his name and came across this artical. (Continued…)
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