ROBERT S. BENARD

Robert S. Benard, 91, of Burlington, passed away peacefully at home on March 1, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Melrose to the late Frank F. and Rose E. (White) Benard, he graduated from Melrose High School, where he cultivated a strong work ethic and a lifelong passion for football. Mechanically inclined from an early age, Robert began working on cars and stock cars with his older brothers and later at a local filling station. That hands-on experience launched a remarkable career in the construction equipment industry.

He joined a small struggling company that held the contract to become a dealer, helping give birth to C.N. Wood Co., Inc. Within two years, he and his partner, Paul McCarthy, purchased the business. Over the next six decades, Robert guided its growth into one of the region’s most respected construction equipment dealers, expanding to nine locations across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and Maine while employing nearly 200 people. Known for his sage advice, dependable service, and unwavering support for contractors and municipal clients, he led with both heart and business acumen, forging lasting partnerships and friendships across generations. He was a founding member of the NBM Highway Association and belonged to the Massachusetts Highway Association, UCANE, APWA-NE, and many other industry groups. He was also a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts and the Wyoming Lodge of Freemasons in Melrose.

Beyond his professional achievements, Robert was deeply committed to giving back. He supported trade organizations through scholarships, quietly aided local charities, and was known in the Woburn and Burlington communities as a generous and often anonymous “Secret Santa.”

Above all, his greatest pride was his family. He shared a devoted marriage with his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Paula (Toomey) Benard. Together they raised their daughters—Debra Del Dotto and her husband Ronald, Paula Benard, and Cheryl MacIver and her husband Dana—instilling in them the values of hard work, love, and security. Robert cherished bringing three generations to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where the family enjoyed boating, watersports, skiing, snowmobiling, and relaxing at their compound. He was happiest with a project before him, whether building go-carts, repairing bicycles and golf carts, constructing beaches, clearing ice for skating, or later in life operating his mini-excavator to shape the landscape at his Alton, New Hampshire property into a natural work of art. He also loved watching football, analyzing strategy and play-calling with the insight of a former player.

He was predeceased by his brothers Ernest S. Benard and Edward H. Benard and brother-in-law Levon Maserian. He is survived by his wife Paula of Burlington; his daughters and their families; his sister June Maserian of Haverhill; grandchildren Paula Merva and her husband Martin, Kelly Piper, Eric MacIver and his wife Lauren, and Kristen MacIver and her fiancé Shawn Power; and great-grandchildren Piper Rose Merva, Alton Robert Merva, and Hudson Arthur Merva.