Brewster, Benjamin Yates Jr. SLINGERLANDS Benjamin Yates Brewster Jr., 89, of Beverwyck Senior Living Community in Slingerlands, died peacefully on October 31, 2016, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on December 4, 1926, in Indianapolis to Benjamin and Marjorie Jessop Brewster. His family moved to Nashua, N.H. where he spent his childhood. As a young boy Ben attended Camp O-At-Ka in Sebago, Maine each summer, which became a major influence on the rest of his life. He graduated from Phillips Academy Andover in 1944 and was a midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy Annapolis, Md. graduating class of 1947, class 48A. He honorably served in the
U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Midway and the destroyer U.S.S. William M. Wood. He later became a Russian linguist and served with the Naval Air Intelligence squadron in Port Lyautey, French Morocco, North Africa. He had a long and accomplished career in the life insurance business, first as an agent for John Hancock Life and then a general agent for National Life of Vermont, followed by the position as executive director of the New York State Association of Life Underwriters. In this position he was well respected as he tirelessly lobbied the New York State Legislator representing his fellow agents. He retired in 1991, yet still continued his lobbying and support of the insurance industry he loved. He had many friends and interests that included his love of music, sailing, photography and spending his summers with his family and friends at the Crater Club in Essex. He was a member of the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany for over 60 years and lived his faith through his service to others. He was a kind and gentle man and will be missed by the many lives he touched. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Anne Cammack Brewster; and six of his seven children, Katherine Brewster of New York City, Barbara (Harry) Shepler of Bedford, N.H., Edward (Sue) Brewster of Hertford, N.C., James (Katie) Brewster of Pomfret, Md., Richard (Lori) Brewster of St Charles, Mo., Margaret (Stephen) Brewster Willingham of Milliken, Colo.; and predeceased by his son, Benjamin Yates Brewster III (Little B), who died in 1962. Ben was blessed with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he adored and cherished. The family will receive visitors from Saturday, November 12, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Episcopal Cathedral of All Saints, 62 South Swan St., Albany, followed by a service of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Donations, in lieu of flowers, are requested in Ben's memory to the Friends of the Choir, Cathedral of All Saints, 62 South Swan St., Albany, NY 12210. Flowers for the service are being coordinated by the Enchanted Florist, Albany.
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