Obituary of John W. Bender

John W. Bender, a resident of Boston, MA and a former 25 year resident of Rowayton, CT, passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Rogerson House in Boston, MA. Born May 10, 1919 in Jersey City, NJ, he was the son of the late Walter John and Sarah McDermott Bender. He was 92. John was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne during World War II. He saw action in Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy. In February of 1945, he convinced his commander to give him a two week leave so that he could make his way from the front to London, where the love of his life, Jeanne Robbins, was working for the Office of War Information. They married on her birthday, February 27. After the war, they moved to Rowayton, then to Norwalk and finally back to Rowayton. John was an accomplished writer. He was the author of numerous short stories, including many thrillers and detective stories for pulp fiction magazines in the 40's and 50's. He was also a wonderful poet. John was an editor at Argosy Magazine and then cartoon and humor editor for True Magazine. His late wife, Jeanne Robbins Bender, wrote the Clamdigging news column for the Darien News-Review. John was an active participant in the life of Rowayton, serving as the president of the Rowayton Historical Society. Each year, he would march in the town Memorial Day parade, dressed in his army jacket and paratrooper boots. He and his dog Duffy were well known throughout the village as they took their famous 2-mile rambles, greeting everyone they met. He is survived by a son, Dr. John W. Bender and his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Joann Bender Greenwood and her husband, Ken; and five grandchildren, Elizabeth Greenwood; Dr. William Bender; Laura Bender McGuinness and her husband, Robert; Jillian Greenwood and Sarah Bender. He is also survived by a sister, Regina Rehill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John R.C. Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery in Norwalk. Friends may make donations in John's name to a charity of their choice or to Rogerson House, 434 Jamaicaway, Boston, MA 02130, in recognition of the loving care and friendship that the staff and residents gave to John over the past few years. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820