Benjamin J. Pumo

Pumo, Benjamin J., April 10, 2010. Dear husband of 17 years to Charlotte (Damminga). Predeceased by his first wife, Mabel. Ben is also survived by their Children, Dorothy (Warren Coolidge), Ken (Beth); grandson Jeff (Kezza); and stepchildren Paul (Linda) Damminga, Nancy (David) Hintz, Ann (Gerald) Kmet, Jean (Tim) McCloskey and grandchildren: Scott, Kelly, Joel Damminga, Heather, Lindsey Hintz, Andrea, Kristin, Lauren, Megan Kmet, Christopher, Andrew, Daniel McCloskey. Born in West New York, NJ Ben obtained his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and his master’s degree from New York University. He retired from The Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired in 1987. Ben spent much of his life focused on opening up opportunities for those who are visually impaired. He published four articles in professional vocational counseling journals and received special awards for his work from the President’s Committee on Employment for the Physically Handicapped (1962) and both the Ohio (1964) and Michigan (1977) Rehabilitation Associations. Ben held the first Career Days(1967) for school age blind children, their families, and counselors. He organized Job Readiness Clinics (1972) to assist blind people entering the work force. In 1974, he produced the first Occupational information Library for the Blind, a directory of 500 jobs performed by the blind and visually impaired, which received international recognition. The Library was extended to Braille and cassette editions and used in the U.S.. and 14 other countries. In 1985, the Library became part of the 4-Sights Network, a pre-Internet, telecomputing network; Ben also helped develop to enable visually impaired individuals across the country to more easily exchange information. In 1978 he was responsible for bringing Detroit Radio information Service (DRIS) to the Detroit area. Ben and Mabel were founding members of Livonia’s Church of The Holy Spirit, where Ben served in various positions. Ben was a terrific guy with a great sense of humor who enjoyed woodcarving and traveling. Memorial service to be held on Saturday, April 17, at The Church of the Holy Spirit, 9083 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI. Gathering at 9 AM, Service at 10 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired. (www.gdabvi.org). Arrangements handled by Vermeulen Funeral Home in Westland. To share a memory with the family, please use the view and send condolences link on this page.

Benjamin J. Pumo

April 21, 1922 - April 10, 2010