Benjamin Lawrence Kubiak, 88, of the Wilsonville section of Thompson, CT, passed away unexpectedly on December 29, 2012.  He was the devoted and loving husband of Joan (Strenk) who survives him. They celebrated their 67th anniversary on August 4th.

Ben was the son of the late John and Sophie (Cichon) and was predeceased by a sister Cecilia Bukowski.  He is survived by his daughter, Bernadette Quercia and her husband Cosmo of Thompson, grandchildren Kaleen Taft and her husband Timothy of Putnam and Christopher Quercia and his wife Amy of  Southbridge, MA.  In addition, survivors include the loves of his life, his great grandchildren Emily and Lydia Taft, Kylie and Lucas Quercia, and Ava and Ella Simoes.

Ben was a proud World War II veteran, serving in the 8th Army Air Force as a crew chief airplane mechanic.  Joining at the age of 18, Ben served in the European Theater as a member of the 445th Bomb Squad and then the 703rd with Jimmy Stewart as his CO.  Ben took great pride in his service to his country in a quiet and modest way.  He worked at Anglo Fabrics Woolen Mill as well as the Worcester Airport. In 1967 he founded "State Line Power Equipment" which he owned and operated until his retirement.

Ben was a kind, generous, and caring person.  A man of integrity and full of compassion, you didn't need to know him well to realize that he was an all around "good guy."  He was truly an amazing man who always put his family above everything else. "Dziadzi" will be greatly missed.

Benjamin's funeral, with military honors provided by the Webster-Dudley Veteran's Council, will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2013, from the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, 48 School Street, Webster, with a Mass at 10:00 am in Saint Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb Street, Webster.  Burial will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery.  Calling hours at the funeral home are Wednesday, January 2, 2013, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.  A guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com.