G. Douglas Vanbenschoten

Douglas VanBenschoten of Interlaken passed away at home on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at the age of 95.

Doug was born in Saratoga Springs on June 26, 1919. He was a graduate of Ithaca College and received his Masters Degree in Education from Cornell University. Doug served four and a half years in the military, two and a half years were overseas in Iceland, England, France, Belgium, and Germany. He was hidden by a Belgium family during the break through during World War II. Doug received a Certificate of Merit for duty in the successful invasion of the continent of Europe and received a commission as Lieutenant in Fontainebleau, France.

Doug was a teacher, administrator, and high school principal of South Seneca School District for 25 years. After retiring from education he was appointed the Director of Career Education for Tompkins, Seneca, Tioga, Madison, and Cortland counties. Completing this assignment, he joined Citizens Savings Bank in Ithaca as a personnel officer.

Doug was an active member of the Interlaken community serving in the following organizations; Superintendent of Interlaken Reformed Church Sunday School, Deacon and Elder of the Reformed Church, Board of Directors of T-B and Health Association of Seneca County, President of Seneca County Health Association, President and Vice President of Interlaken Teacher’s Association and South Seneca Teacher’s Association, House of Delegates, Master of Famerville Lodge, High Priest of Royal Arch Masons, District Deputy of Masons for Seneca, Ontario, and Yates Counties, twice President of the Trumansburg Golf Course, Interlaken Historical Society, Community Action Group, Chairman of the Masonic Hall Association, and was elected Citizen of the Year in Interlaken.

Doug is survived by his wife, Betsey VanBenschoten; two sons, Robert (Bonnie) and Richard (Doris); nine grandchildren, Christopher, Timothy, Kimberly, Brian, James, Lyndsey, MaryKay, Gregory, and Gwen; and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the Interlaken Reformed Church. Prayers of Committal will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, November 24, at the Interlaken Reformed Church. Burial with full Military Honors will immediately follow in Lake View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who would like to make a contribution in Doug’s memory to kindly consider the Interlaken Reformed Church, PO Box 335, Interlaken, NY 14847 or the Farmerville Union #183, PO Box 128, Interlaken, NY 14847 or the Interlaken Historical Society, PO Box 270, Interlaken, NY 14847.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. 1-888-534-5446. www.ness-sibley.com.