elevated xl2SM March 20, 1936 – November 8, 2021

elevated xl2SM Visitation
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

elevated xl2SM Due to Covid-19 capacity restrictions, friends may have to wait to pay their respects during the visitation period. We are inviting family and friends to a walk-through visitation only to pay their respects, offer condolences and then kindly exit the building to allow for others to enter.

elevated xl2SM Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6

elevated xl2SM Private Funeral Mass
A Private Funeral Mass will be held in the Chapel of St. Joseph within the Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. If you wish to view the mass on our livestream, please click on the link below.

elevated xl2SM The link will become active just before at 1:30 pm.

elevated xl2SM https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1636527334761213

elevated xl2SM Colin Benjamin Obituary

elevated xl2SM We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Colin James Norbert Benjamin in his 85th year, peacefully on November 8, 2021. Born in Parrylands, Trinidad on March 20, 1936 to parents Eworth and Nellie Benjamin, Colin was the 4th born.  Dear brother to Louisa (deceased), Hollinsworth (deceased), Leonora, Griffith (deceased), Sybil, Earl, Eastlyn (deceased), Monica and Leroy. Devoted husband to Iscenty Gloria Benjamin (nee Soares). Beloved father to Frank (deceased), Coleen (Ron), Andrea (Paul), and Nicole (Joel). Proud grandfather to Shiloh, Immanuel, Makedah, Sydney, Quinn, Tephillah, Noa, and great grandfather to Kane.

elevated xl2SM In his youth, Colin was very active in sports and excelled academically. He attended Presentation College in San Fernando where his good grades earned him a scholarship to United Oxford Hospitals in Oxford, England where he attained the Fellowship of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences at the Dunn School of Pathology. He represented the United Oxford Hospitals soccer team (as captain in 1959) as well as their field hockey and cricket teams.

elevated xl2SM Colin was Medical Laboratory Superintendent at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, at which time he met his beautiful wife and together they would share 57 years and raise 3 daughters. In 1964 he was awarded a World Health Organization Fellowship to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Centre in Washington D.C. He then accepted a research appointment at McGill University in 1968, and subsequently moved his family to Quebec. The family moved to Toronto when he accepted a position at Toronto General Hospital. He was later appointed Assistant Vice President at the University Health Network (Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospitals) and he held this title until retirement in 1999. In 2006 Colin was named to the Board of Directors of the provincial government’s Central Local Health Integration Network. Most notably, he was co-author of “Historical Staining for the Diagnosis of Mesothelioma”, published in the American Society of Medical Technology in 1982 which was an instrumental piece of work in diagnosing mesothelioma.

elevated xl2SM True to form, Colin was as active in retirement as he was during his career. He was President of Care Watch Toronto, a voluntary network dedicated to ensuring the quality of community-based long-term care, specifically home care. Colin also sat on the Board of Directors of P.O.I.N.T. (People and Organizations in North Toronto) and served on the North York Board of Health. He was active in promoting Trinidad and Tobago culture in Toronto, as noted by his involvement as a founding member and President of the Trinidad and Tobago Legacy Association, and President of the Organisation of Calypso Performing Artistes. Colin was an officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ontario. He was Chair of the Yorkgate FMC Scholarship Committee assisting secondary school students pursue their education at Seneca College, and acted as a parade judge, committee chair and Caribana Lime event coordinator for the Caribbean Cultural Committee.

elevated xl2SM Of all the titles he held, the ones dearest to his heart were that of being a husband, father and grandfather. Colin’s sole purpose was to enjoy his family, his life, and all the experiences that were dear to his heart including travelling with his wife, volunteering and being a role model and mentor to the next generation. He had an unbelievably big heart and never forgot the sacrifices his parents made, which guided his every interaction in life. We will continue to honour his legacy by finding pleasure in the simplest of things and living life to the fullest.

elevated xl2SM We would like to extend sincere thanks to the caring team of Toronto General Hospital and Scarborough General Hospital ICU staff, and to all those who cared for him during his final days. His recent health issues showed his courage in facing life’s challenges with a smile and a great sense of humour. A gentleman and a scholar, he will be forever missed and cherished.

elevated xl2SM He is resting at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home at 211 Langstaff Road East, in Thornhill, Ontario. Visitation will be held from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm on Tuesday November 16, 2021. A private funeral mass will follow for immediate family only (due to Covid-19 restrictions).

elevated xl2SM All family and friends are graciously invited to a repass to celebrate Colin’s life at Tropical Nights Restaurant & Lounge, 1154 Morningside Ave, Scarborough, ON M1B 3A4 at 4 pm.