Mr. Michael E. Benecke

January 23, 1953 - July 27, 2014

Michael Benecke (Mike) of State College PA, formerly of Brooklyn died peacefully on July 27,2014 surrounded by his loving sisters and brothers-in-law. Mike was born on January 23, 1953 to the late Elizabeth (Betty) Benecke and George J. Benecke in Brooklyn NY. Mike moved to PA pursuing his degree in Sports Psychology. Upon completion of his degree and until his death he worked in various aspects of the restaurant industry. Mike had a love of sports and a love of his family and friends. Mike was predeceased by both his parents and his brother James (Jimmy) and sister Elizabeth (Bettyanne). Mike is survived by his brothers George Benecke and his wife Pattie, Joseph Benecke and his wife Cathy, brother in law Kevin Howard; sisters Maryellen Dolan and her husband Tony, Cathy Varunok and her husband Pete and Jeanne Corcoran and her husband John. Mike is survived by seventeen nieces and nephews: Georgie, Jennifer, and Matthew Benecke, Jeannette and Kevin Howard, Jimmy Catherine, Joey, Robyn and Christopher Benecke, Madalyn and Danielle Dolan, Nicholas, Katey and Mikayla Varunok and Meghan and Allyson Furcick. Mike is also survived by 11 great nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Thursday July 31, 2014 from 2-5 and 7-9 at James P. Byrnes Funeral Home, 2384 Gerritsen Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday August 2, at 9:30am at Resurrection Church 2331, Gerritsen Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, PO Box 405, LaGrangeville NY 12540 for the Betty Howard Scholarship Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of James P. Byrnes Funeral Home.