LifeTimeline
Justin Joseph Benito
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Transition - Hebron Avenue School, 1986
Glastonbury, Connecticut
This picture is from when Justin & I first met when we were 6 years old. I am extremely lucky I got to spend so much time with Justin these past 32 years.
He was a really loyal buddy & the closest thing I had to a brother.
I miss Justin making bodysurfing into a competition at beaches like Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester around here or Watch Hill in Westerly, RI while growing up; or will miss skiing with Justin, watching him make absolutely no turns while bombing down the slopes thinking it was a race at mountains like Sunday River with guys like Tom Beebee, Jeff Beshansky, & Kurt Hogan.
Justin has been missed tremendously where I feel like we spent the most amount of our free time together at the Pavlisko’s these past 5 years. The pool hangs, the fire pits.. I got the sense from Justin that at Greg & Brenda’s – spending time with all our kids - is where Justin felt most at home around here these past 5 years. Justin has meant so much to all of the Bodreau family get-togethers & he has been & will continue to be missed there for sure!! (especially by the kids like Lindsay, Macie, Jack, Connor, Aiden, & Liam).
Am so grateful for all the fun memories of mine that include Justin going back to things like drinking Franzia wine out of a 5 liter box – all of us in Craig Barber’s basement in the 9th grade while bragging about trying to hook up with girls like Ali Romero; or how pissed Justin & I would get each time we went over to Kirk Faustman’s house in high school & in his basement, Kirk had a chalkboard where he kept a running tally of our pool matches.. “KMF/Corky this score”… “KMF vs Ogre this score”… (Ogre was a nickname for Justin & Corky a nickname for me by the way). & each new time Justin or I would go over the Faustman’s house, we’d walk down to his basement & ofcouse while neither of us were there, Kirk would jack the scores up like Faustman was kicking both our asses.
So many fun memories with Justin!
Like riding snowmobiles thinking the 6 hour ride would never end at Matt Downing’s lakehouse with his Dad & uncles & Erik Nelson & I at Crystal Lake in NH. Or a perfect example of Justin making body surfing into a competition is I wanted to beat him so bad at Ben May’s Rhode Island beach cottage & if you’ve ever swam the Charlestown Breachway, you’ll know what I’m talking about.. Caught an absolute monster wave & beat Justin in the wave riding competition, but the rest of the weekend, I had to walk around with my chest all ripped open cause there were so many rocks where the waves meet the shore. Justin’s competitiveness, the constant ribbing, & group of friends he brought together made life so much fun!Brett Benito
Haha! Love this whole story and the pic in front of the plane. Great pic of you two!! -
Glastonbury Tee Ball
Glastonbury, Connecticut
Justin was always great at sports and even though I was older he beat me more often than I would like to admit. Being only 15 months apart in age many times we were able to be on the same sports teams. This experience from an early age helped us become not only teammates but also competitors. We always wanted to win, but knew if we played enough games against each other, you eventually lose. This relationship and competition built character that I still carry with me today. -
Eastbury Pond Sandcastle Contest - WINNERS
Glastonbury, Connecticut
Many summer days were spend at Eastbury Pond, our local watering hole. It was a great little family place and they had a sandcastle contest each year. Well we won it 3 years in a row!! Benito's don't lose! Joey and John Patoka were are 2 other partners and together the Patoka's and Benito's dominated the Gbury Sandcastle scene for many years. We took a lot of pride in the sandcastle contest and loved having our picture printed in the paper each time we won. -
Colorado Vacation
Beaver Creek, Colorado
We decided to stay in a Ski Town during the summer... Yeah, that was the master plan. We had a blast White Water Rafting and hiking. The funniest part of the trip was when we took the ski lift to the top and decided to walk straight down the slopes. Well the path ended quickly and we found ourselves shoulder deep in grass and overgrown bushes. Needless to say it took us 4+ hrs to hike down and we forever referred to that hike as the "Hike from Hell". hahaha! -
Phish - Camp Oswego
Oswego, New York
Justin brought me to my 1st Phish show and it was a crazy huge festival. Oswego was 65,000+ people at an abandoned airstrip in upstate NY. It was my 1st experience of "Shakedown Street" and how I could literally buy anything I wanted. Justin and I would wake up and I'd go looking for a Guinness for breakfast while he scored us some grilled cheese or some sort of home cooked meal. This experience blew my mind and I will forever remember walking into the show with Justin in front of me, sun setting and the jams playing. It was magical. Justin went to at least 8-10 Phish shows in 1999 I think. -
Xmas 2001
Glastonbury, Connecticut
Our older brother Kevin & Melissa just had their 1st born Katelyn. I was still in Maryland and came home for the holidays. Justin would come home from UNH and we would go out with all our old friends. This was the 1st year where I could have a beer with Justin and mom & dad couldn't say anything, Justin was 21. -
Brett trip to see CT Fall
Glastonbury, Connecticut
I always liked visiting CT in the Fall right at peak foliage. Anytime I came home Justin and I would catch up and stay up late telling stories and enjoying each other's company. Mom and dad took great care of us. I always remember Justin bringing home huge containers of laundry... well past the college years, hahaha. -
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Justin moved to San Diego for almost 1 year
San Diego, California
Justin moved from New Hampshire to San Diego. I think he may have driven out with his girlfriend Janelle . He stayed for almost 1 full year, maybe 9-10 months. He had a blast playing horseshoes, hanging out at the beach, and enjoying the sunshine. I was jealous because while I was working I would come home often to Justin truly enjoying life and playing with my friends (especially Mikey Perham and Larry Cramp who were somehow living in a van at the time... hahaha). He may have even beaten me a few times at horseshoes and cornhole. He drove back cross country with his friend Jason Chabourne. -
Beastie Boys Concert
San Diego, California
Justin, I and a few friends went to see the Beastie Boys and we got an amazingly unique show. The 1st song sounded horrible and was with a DJ, so they apologized and left the stage.... after a strange interval... A side stage spun around and the band came out on all instruments. We think it was set up for their encore, but instead they played all of their instrumental songs as the 1st set. Root Down;, Sure Shot and more. Then they transitioned back to being MC's for the 2nd set and then back to instruments for the Encore. It was amazing and I am so glad I got to experience this with Justin. He and I we awestruck for years that we got to see such a unique performance. -
Xmas 2007
Glastonbury, Connecticut
Holidays were always great times with everyone gathering to celebrate the year. I flew in from San Diego and as always Justin and I picked right up where we left off. We would tell stories on the year and have a few beers and lots of laughs. With all the brothers, cousins and more in the same room there was never a dull moment. -
Brett trip to CT to Introduce Emily
Glastonbury, Connecticut
I had met Emily in February 2010. In October 2010 I brought Emily home to meet Justin and my family. We had so much fun and Justin was so warm and kind to Emily. Justin made her feel right at home and part of the family. I think he may have even tried to "steal" her from me. -
Best Man at Brett's & Emily's Wedding
San Diego, California
Justin was by my side for almost every important moment in my life. As the Best Man I think Justin was more nervous than me for the wedding. He gave a great speech and I was so honored to have him out in San Diego to see me at one of the most important moments of my life. -
Reception at Brett & Emily's Wedding
San Diego, California
Justin was always the life of any party. Brett & Emily's wedding was no exception. We had a hotel room for the wedding night and gave Justin keys to our 2 bedroom condo. Justin had so much fun I think he slept on the beach instead of the condo. Haha. -
Father's Day in Connecticut
Glastonbury, Connecticut
Brett and Emily brought our 1st born Benny back to Connecticut to meet the family and Justin. Justin was always a natural with kids and Benny loved him. Justin was a kid at heart and I believe that kids could sense and feel that kindness instantly. Both boys Benny & Bodhi will miss Uncle Justin immensely. -