BELA "PAUL" BENIK, age 89,  passed away on December 16, 2020 in San Marcos, CA.  He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carol (nee Kowalski), three children , Michael (Marla), Jeffrey (Reiko), Brenda; and six grandchildren, Sankara, Nicholas, Elise, Kevin, Sean and Maya. Paul was born to the late John and Mary Benik in Creighton, PA on January 7, 1931. He was preceded in death by his three brothers (John, Julius, Joseph) and sister (Julia).

He grew up in Creighton and graduated from East Deer High School where he was a star athlete in basketball and baseball. He moved to Cleveland, OH soon after and worked as a tool and die apprentice until his enlistment in the Navy.  He served on the USS Rogers during the Korean war. Although Paul was tempted to pursue a professional baseball career, after the war he returned to Cleveland to marry Carol. He had met the love of his life right before leaving for boot camp.

Paul and Carol raised their family in Cleveland and then in Middleburg Heights. In 1985, he retired from the Ford Motor Company in Brookpark, Ohio after working as a quality control foreman for 30 years.

Paul's athletic pursuits continued during his work years as he played competitive softball in the Plain Dealer Major Slow Pitch league in Cleveland. He was the third baseman on the 1965 "Swing Inn" team that was runner up in the national tournament. In 2000 he was inducted into the Cleveland Slo-Pitch Hall of Fame. Paul also enjoyed basketball and was a referee for many years for high school and college games. He was a member of the International Association of Basketball Officials. He continued to play softball in senior leagues and finally hung up his cleats at age 77.

In retirement he realized his dream to return to California when he and Carol moved to San Marcos in 1986. After 30 years in a factory, Paul wanted to do something outdoors in retirement, which he did as part-time staff member of the golf course maintenance crew at the Lawrence Welk Resort. Many happy years were spent hosting friends and family in their new home. Paul was always eager to show his guests all the attractions of San Diego and see them enjoy its beautiful weather.

Paul was a devoted family man. He loved visits from family throughout the 34 years he lived in San Marcos. As he grew older he was heartened to see more of his family move west - something he always wished would happen. Paul had many friends and loved to talk to anyone and everyone, especially if they knew something about sports. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Chambers Funeral Homes Facebook page (link to our Facebook page below):

https://www.facebook.com/Chambers-Funeral-Homes-1560347080741913