Michele J. Benham

Cuba-Michele J. Benham “Loving Wife, Mother, Sister & Aunt” 

Michele Benham of Haskell Road passed away on Thursday, March 12th, 2026 at Olean General Hospital surrounded by her loving family. 

Michele was born on March14th,1960, in Olean and was the daughter of Raymond W. and Patricia A. Barr Carapellatti. 

Michele was a 1978 graduate of Olean High School. She attended Jamestown Community College. Michele was employed for many years at the Holiday Inn, which was the family business. She went on after the family business was sold and started her career at Dresser Rand in 1987 and retired in 2018 after 31 years of service.

After her retirement her husband and her became involved with their son in farming and his recent purchase of his farm in Cuba. Michele enjoyed traveling with her husband and son on various trips to acquire new farm equipment and attend various farm shows and fairs. She enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening and in her earlier years she and her husband loved to ride their Harley Davidson motorcycles. Michele had a passion for classic muscle cars. She was a member of the Portville Rod and Gun Club and enjoyed visiting with all the members. 

Michele is survived by; her husband Greg Benham, her son Bradly and her five siblings; Raymond (Gail) Carapellatti of FL., Richard (Helena) Carapellatti of AZ., Paul (Lynn) Carapellatti of Hinsdale, Mary Ann (Robert) Dupree of TX., and Susan (Michael) Tucker of Olean, many precious nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. Her special friends Becky Mosak and Sue Russell. 

Michele was predeceased by; her parents, her father-in-law Kenneth Benham, her brother Mark Carapellatti and a nephew, Jason Tucker.

Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean on Sunday, March 22, 2026 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at which time a funeral service will be held. Burial will be in the Hinsdale Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Cattaraugus County SPCA, 2944 NY-16, Olean, NY 14760.