Michael Benear

Michael Scott Benear, 60, of Green passed away on October 3rd, 2024 of complications due to colon cancer.

Mike was born on Friday, March 13th, 1964 in Akron, Ohio. He was the son of Michael and Phyllis Benear. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1982 and went on to earn an English degree from the University of Akron.

He married his wife, Julie, on October 12, 1991. They built a beautiful life in Green, raising their only daughter Alexa, who was the light of his life.

Mike reinvented himself professionally many times. He was a paralegal for many years with numerous attorneys including Kay Belfance, Mike Demczyk, Mary Rowlands, Bob McNamara, Rick Schnars, Rod Baca and Vern Infantino. He then worked for First Merit bank as a real estate manager, helping people manage their trusts. Finally, he became a real estate title agent at Colonial Title. He loved all of his coworkers throughout the years.

Mike had an encyclopedic knowledge of music trivia, especially about the Beatles, classic rock and Texas singer-songwriters. His dream job definitely would have been to write music reviews for Rolling Stone magazine. He taught himself how to play guitar and ukulele. Music was very important to him and he prided himself on his eclectic tastes.

Mike and Julie loved to cook together and try new restaurants whenever they had the chance. Mike was known to be a fantastic cook and people loved to try his dishes. Most of all, Mike loved being surrounded by family and friends. He was a quiet guy who loved to take it all in. He never had a harsh word for anyone and he was loved by everyone he met. His biggest accomplishment in life was raising his daughter, Alexa. He was so proud of her and all she achieved. He also loved her fiancé (now husband) Marcus Anderson, who he knew would love and care for her just as much as he did.

Mike is survived by his wife, Julie, daughter, Alexa (Marcus) Anderson, his parents, Mike and Phyllis, sister Denise, nephew Joseph, brother and sister in-law, Dave and Nancy Olinger and niece Gianna Olinger. He is also survived by his best buddy...his dog Sal. They were inseparable.

Preceding Mike in death are his maternal grandparents, Harold and Alice Gentner, paternal grandparents, Lester and Carol Benear, and his in-laws, Russ and Mary Olinger (who loved him as if he was their own son).

There will be a celebration of life for Mike on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the Anthony Funeral Home of Green where the family will receive friends from 11 am until the service time.

Memorial donations in Mike's name can be made to Green Schools Foundation to be used for student scholarships: https://www.greenschoolsfoundation.org/.