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Benedict Q. Underhill of Brattleboro, Vermont, died on August 12, 2018, of multiple myeloma and a more recent sarcoma cancer. He was 59.
Born on May 20, 1959, in St. Petersburg, Florida, Mr. Underhill moved to Long Island, shortly after his birth and graduated from Westhampton Beach High School in 1977. He graduated from Colgate University in 1981, with a double major in political science and history.
Mr. Underhill worked first in radio sales in Norwich, then in Brattleboro. In 1988 he joined the Putnam Insurance Agency, became president of the agency in 1992, and owner of the agency in 2002.
In Brattleboro, he began coaching youth baseball, a love that continued throughout his life. He established and coached Small Fry baseball, served 30 years on its board of directors and was honored in 2012 when the first base dugout was dedicated to him.
One of his biggest joys was the Boston Red Sox. A lifelong fan of the team, he shared season tickets and went to many games. His first game was in 1969 and he listened to his last on August 12. He was thrilled to share in their World Series wins. He was also a passionate Patriots fan and season ticket holder, going to many of their games over the years including Super Bowl XX. He loved rock & roll; almost every year he would attend concerts, and was a huge Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band fan.
In 2003, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He survived that cancer for 15 years, primarily thanks to the help and dedication of his children, friends, doctors and family. This changed his life, ending his participation as a coach and as a player, but he was proud to have been able to coach and watch his children in their various sports and endeavors in life.
Mr. Underhill was predeceased by his mother, Cynthia L. Robinson; his step-father, William R. Robinson, who raised him; and his father Jacob B. Underhill II.
He is survived by his stepchildren, Meghan John of New Hampshire, Christopher John of Brattleboro, and Jeffrey John of Boston; his brother and sister-in-law, David and Linda Underhill of New Hampshire; a sister and brother-in-law, Kate and Jim Kerwin of Naples, Florida; and his nieces and nephews, Graeme and Heather Underhill, Sean Kerwin, and Meaghan Kerwin and Brian Zimmer; step-mothers, Lois Underhill of California and Betsy Ashton of New York City; and his ex-wife, Debra Ketchum.
A memorial service took place at Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro. Memorial donations may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851; Youth Services of Windham County, Walnut Street, Brattleboro VT, 05301; PLAY Inc, c/o the Gibson-Aiken Center, Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301; or the Oncology Unit at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Belmont Ave, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
on Aug 27, 2018