Obituary

Passed peacefully away on October, 1 2026, at the age of 90, The Reverend Dr. Gerald Benson of St. John's, Newfoundland.

Leaving to morn his wife Ruth (Bishop) of 63 years, sons Scott and Todd and daughter Gillian (Stephen) Harris. Seven grandchildren Rachel Meeker (Curtis), Zachary Benson, Rebecca Harris (Keith), Andrew Harris, Chris Benson, Jonathan Harris, Davan Benson, great granddaughter Amelia, and a large circle of family and friends.

Reverend Benson was born in St. John’s Newfoundland on September 4, 1936 to Eleazer (Sandy) Benson and Amelia (Millie) Benson nee Horwood, He was predeceased by his parents, brothers George, Cecil, Thomas, Donald, and sisters Beulah, Olive, Dorothy, Audrey, and Mary.

Reverend Benson received his early education within the Salvation Army school system in St. John’s. His theological studies were at Ontario Bible College and Trinity College, Florida U.S.A. where he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

An ordained minister of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador, he was appointed District Secretary and Chief Executive officer of the Canadian Bible Society in 1979 where he served with his wife until retirement in 1997.

Following retirement from The Canadian Bible Society, Reverend Benson served as Chaplain of Institutions with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador until he resigned his role in 2023 due to illness.

From a very young age music played a powerful role in his life beginning with sing -a-longs with his siblings and continuing with his wife, Ruth, on the piano. Both Gerald and Ruth participated in choirs, solos, concerts, radio programs, Christmas Eve services and hymn sings. Gerald also became an author and published Churches of Newfoundland and Labrador Volumes 1 and 2, The Hymns We Sing, and To The Ends of The Earth: A History of the Canadian Bible Society.

Special thanks to The Miller Centre Palliative Care Unit, Rosemore Home Care and in particular Shelly Meaney, his primary caregiver.

Dr. Benson is resting at Barret’s Funeral Home with visitation from 2-4 and 7-9 on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The funeral will take place at Bethesda Pentecostal Church, 1 Escasoni Place, St. John’s, on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Bible Society.