Benjamin AYCRIGG

Born

12 June 1926 , Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA

Died

4 November 2014 , Florida, USA

Age: 88
Cause of Death: renal failure

Parents & Family of Benjamin AYCRIGG

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Parents

Charles Benjamin AYCRIGG Mary Louise BENNETT

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Born: 12 June 1926 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA

Father: Charles Benjamin AYCRIGG

Mother: Mary Louise BENNETT

Paternal grandparents: Benjamin AYCRIGG , Abbie BROWN

Maternal grandparents: George Hoxsie BENNETT , Minerva "Minnie" Katheryne GIMLICH

Spouse(s)/Partner(s) and Child(ren):

Benjamin married Artemisia Eugenie DEMOPOULOS 23 July 1955 in Winter Park, Florida, USA . The couple had (at least) 3 children.
Artemisia Eugenie DEMOPOULOS was born 15 November 1923 in Logansport, Cass, Indiana, USA. Artemisia Eugenie died 12 August 2018 in Orlando, Florida, USA. Artemisia Eugenie was the child of Athanasios J "Tommy" DEMOPOULOS and Cleo MALAMAS.

Benjamin AYCRIGG died 4 November 2014 in Florida, USA.
Details of the family tree of Benjamin appear below.

FAMILY HERITAGE READING

Books Connected to This Family

Family history

Forever Cousins: Eight Generations of the Theinert Family

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A true Maine story

Androscoggin's Secret

Discover the story behind the 1900 murder of Jessie Cobb in Lewiston, Maine, and the world families were talking about at the time.

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Spouse & Children of Benjamin AYCRIGG

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Benjamin AYCRIGG married

Artemisia Eugenie DEMOPOULOS
Marriage date: 23 July 1955
Marriage place: Winter Park, Florida, USA
Artemisia Eugenie DEMOPOULOS was the child of Athanasios J "Tommy" DEMOPOULOS and Cleo MALAMAS

Marriage notes:

Name: Benjamin Aycrigg

County of Marriage: Orange

Volume: 1555

Certificate: 16735

Source: Florida Department of Health

Name: Artemisia Demopoulos

Spouse: Benjamin Aycrigg

County of Marriage: Orange

Marriage Date: 1955

Volume: 1555

Certificate: 16735

Source: Florida Department of Health

Ancestry.com. Florida Marriage Collection, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

MISS ARTEMISIA DEMOPOLOS

Demopoulos-Aycrigg Betrothal Announced The announcement has been made by Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Demopoulos of Orlando of the engagement of their daughter, Artemisia, to Benjamin Aycrigg of Winter Park. The bride-elect received her early education in local schools and is an alumna of Orlando High School. Currently employed as a medical secretary by the Jewett Orthopedic Clinic, she was for (can't read). Miss Demopoulos' fiance, the son of Charles B. Aycrigg of Winter Park and the late Mrs. Aycrigg, is an alumnus of Rollins College, where he was subsequently affiliated with the faculty. While an undergraduate, he was elected to Omicron Delta Kappa, national honorary fraternity. Upon graduation, Mr. Aycrigg was awarded the coveted Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallion. At present the bridegroom-elect is engaged in writing historical plays for radio production. The date and complete plans for the wedding will be announced later.

The Orlando Sentinel

Orlando, Florida

September 26, 1954

Wedding Is Tomorrow - Dinner Party Tonight

The Barbizon in Winter Park will be the scene tonight of the dinner party at which members of the families, the wedding party and out of town guests will be entertained tonight following the rehearsal for the wedding of Miss Artemisia Demopoulois and Benjamin Aycrigg. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Demopoulos and the son of Charles B. Aycrigg of Winter Park and the late Mrs. Aycrigg are to be married by the Very Rev. Osborne R. Littleford in the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Episcopal at 5 p.m. tomorrow. Those who will be present with the affianced couple and their parents are the Rev. Mr. Littleford, Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Setzer, Stavros and John Demopoulos, Crist P. Francisco, William H. Bradner Jr., William N. Frangus, John Francisco, Phillip Littleford, Mr. and Mrs. James J. Demos, the Misses Elaine and Artemis Demos, all of Indianapolis. Also Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dennis, Miss Artemisia Dennis, Augusta, Ga.; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lekas and daughter, Mrs. Peter J. Costas, Jackson, Miss.

The Orlando Evening Star

Orlando, Florida

July 22, 1955

Children of Benjamin AYCRIGG and Artemisia Eugenie DEMOPOULOS

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Postcards and Memories of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA (Coltsville)

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Birth — 1926
12 June 1926
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA

1927 - The aerosol can is invented (Erik Rotheim, Norway)

1927 - April 7 – Bell Telephone Co. transmits an image of Herbert Hoover (then the Secretary of Commerce), which becomes the first successful long distance demonstration of television

1928 - Sliced bread (bread slicing machine) is invented by Otto Frederick Rohwedder (United States)

1929 - Herbert Hoover becomes President of the United States

1929 - October 29 - Black Tuesday - Stock market crash - The Great Depression Begins - It lasted until 1941 (WW2)

1930 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts
name: Benjamin Aycrigg
event: Census
event date: 1930
event place: Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts
gender: Male
age: 3
marital status: Single
race: White
birthplace: Massachusetts
estimated birth year: 1927
immigration year:
relationship to head of household: Son
father's birthplace: New Jersey
mother's birthplace: Connecticut
enumeration district number: 60
family number: 500
sheet number and letter: 21A
line number: 7
nara publication: T626, roll 885
film number: 2340620
digital folder number: 4606982
image number: 00817
Household Gender Age
parent Charles B Aycrigg M 40
parent Mary B Aycrigg F 30
Benjamin Aycrigg M 3
Mary Lee Aycrigg F 1
Minnie K Bennett F 54

1930 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1930 - Scotch tape is invented (Richard Drew (3M), United States)

In 1930, on February 18, Pluto was discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, marking a significant milestone in the study of our solar system.

1931 - The paper towel is invented (Arthur Scott, United States)

1931 - March 3 – The Star-Spangled Banner is adopted as the United States National anthem.

1933 - Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes President of the United States

1933 - December 5 – The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution is passed, repealing Prohibition

1934 - The metal beverage can is invented (American Can Co., United States)

1935 - The snowmobile was invented by Joseph Bombardier (Quebec, Canada)

1935 - August 14 – United States President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law

1938 - The ballpoint pen is invented (Lazlo Biro, Hungary)

1938-1944 - Sunscreen is invented (Franz Greiter, Switzerland and Benjamin Green, United States)

1938 - October 27 - Du Pont announces a name for its new synthetic yarn: nylon.

1940 Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Name: Ben Aycrigg
Age: 14
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1926
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts
Street: Brunswick
House Number: 19
Inferred Residence in 1935: Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 8B
Household Members:
Name Age
Charles Aycrigg 50
Mary Aycrigg 40
Ben Aycrigg 14
Mary Aycrigg 10
Gerard Aycrigg 8
Minnie Bennet 64
1940 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1940 - April - 1st electron microscope demonstrated (RCA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

1941 - December 8 - (the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor) United States declares war on Japan (WW2)

Winter Park, Topics, Winter Park, Florida, Friday, January 8, 1943
Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Aycrigg, with their children, Ben, Mary Lee and Gerry, spent New Year's Day With the former's brother in Winter Haven. Newcomers here last season, the Ayerigg family have recently moved from Sylvan Boulevard to 178 Brewer Avenue, and have with them Mrs. George H. Bennett, of Pittsfield, Mass., mother of Mrs. Aycrigg.

www.wppl.org/ wphistory/
newspapers/ 1943/ 01-08-1943.pdf

1944 - D-Day, which occurred on June 6, 1944, was a pivotal World War II operation where Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. Known as Operation Overlord, it involved over 156,000 troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations. The operation aimed to liberate Western Europe from Nazi German control. The landings marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, leading to the eventual Allied victory in Europe.

1945 Florida Census - Winter Park, Florida

familysearch.org (Mormon Genealogy Records)
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org: How to Find Your Family History on the World's Largest Free Genealogy Website

Benjamin AYCRIGG - 1945 Census Winter Park, Florida

1945 Census Winter Park, Florida

familysearch.org (Mormon Genealogy Records)
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org: How to Find Your Family History on the World's Largest Free Genealogy Website

1945 - The atomic bomb is invented (J. Robert Oppenheimer, et al., United States)

The microwave oven was invented accidentally in 1945 by Percy Spencer, a Raytheon engineer. While testing a magnetron, he noticed microwaves melted a candy bar in his pocket. Experimenting further, he discovered microwaves could cook food quickly. Raytheon patented the process, and by 1947, they built the first commercial microwave oven, called the 'Radarange.' Initially used in commercial settings, microwaves becomes affordable for home use by the 1960s and 1970s, revolutionizing cooking.

1945 - Harry S. Truman becomes President of the United States

1945 - On September 2, 1945, World War II officially ended with the formal surrender of Japan. The surrender ceremony took place aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, where Japanese officials signed the Instrument of Surrender in the presence of Allied representatives, including General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz.

1948 - Velcro is invented (George de Mestral, Switzerland)

1949
Ben Aycrigg Wins High Honor

Ben Aycrigg son of Mr and Mrs Charles Aycrigg of Winter Park Fla, former residents of Pittsfield was awarded the coveted Algernon Sydne Sullivan medallion the highest award given for outstanding qualities of character at Winter Park Fla during graduation exercises at the college last week.

Mr Aycrigg is the grandson of Mrs George Bennett of Winter Park also a former Pittsfield resident.

The Berkshire County Eagle
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
June 11, 1949

1950 - Winter Park, Florida
Name: Benjamin Ayarig
Age: 23
Birth Date: abt 1927
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Massachusetts
Marital Status: Never Married (Single)
Relation to Head of House: Son
Residence Date: 1950
Home in 1950: Winter Park, Orange, Florida, USA
Household Members Age Relationship
Charles B Ayarig
60 Head
Benjamin Ayarig 23 Son
Mary Lee Ayonigs
20 Daughter
Gerard Ayonigs
17 Son
Minna K Bennett
74 Mother-in-law
1950 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

Photo from obituary

1950 - June 25 - Korean War begins when North Korean forces invade South Korea.

1953 - Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes President of the United States

1953 - On July 27, 1953, the Korean War ended with the signing of an armistice agreement at Panmunjom. This ceasefire halted the conflict between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, backed by United Nations forces primarily from the United States. The agreement established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near the 38th parallel, effectively maintaining the pre-war boundary and creating a buffer zone between the two Koreas.

1955 Marriage / Partner
Benjamin AYCRIGG and Artemisia Eugenie DEMOPOULOS 23 July 1955, Winter Park, Florida, USA

He was 29 years old.

1961 - John F. Kennedy becomes President of the United States

1961 - Vietnam War officially begins with 900 military advisors landing in Saigon.

1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis was a tense 13-day standoff in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over the installation of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S. coast. The crisis is considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war. It began when American spy planes discovered the missiles, leading to a U.S. naval blockade of Cuba and intense negotiations. The crisis ended when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba and secretly agreeing to remove American missiles from Turkey.

1963 - I Have a Dream Speech - Martin Luther King's Address at March on Washington August 28, 1963.

In 1963, on November 22, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza. The assassination shocked the nation and the world, leading to widespread mourning and a period of intense national introspection. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States shortly after Kennedy's death. The assassination sparked numerous conspiracy theories and investigations, with the Warren Commission ultimately concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination. Kennedy's death had a profound impact on American politics and society, marking the end of an era often referred to as 'Camelot.'

1968 - The ATM is invented (Don Wetzel, United States)

1969 - Richard M. Nixon becomes President of the United States

1969 - July 20 - Apollo 11 - Man lands on the moon

June 17, 1972 – August 9, 1974 - Watergate Scandal began with the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., in 1972. Members of President Richard Nixon's administration attempted to cover up their involvement. The scandal led to the discovery of multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration, the resignation of President Nixon in 1974, and the indictment of several administration officials.

1973 - January 22 - Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 and Doe v. Bolton, 410 U.S. 179: The U.S. Supreme Court declares that the Constitution protects women’s right to terminate an early pregnancy, thus making abortion legal in the U.S.

1973 - March 29 - The last United States soldier leaves Vietnam

The cell phone was invented by Martin Cooper of Motorola. On April 3, 1973, he made the first handheld mobile phone call with the Motorola DynaTAC. This device weighed 2.5 pounds and was 10 inches long, offering 30 minutes of talk time and requiring 10 hours to charge. The first commercial cell phone was released in 1983, revolutionizing communication and leading to the modern smartphones we use today.

1974 - Gerald R. Ford becomes President of the United States after the resignation of Richard Nixon.

1977 - Jimmy Carter becomes President of the United States

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington State occurred on May 18, triggered by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake. It caused the largest landslide in recorded history, followed by a massive lateral blast. The eruption killed 57 people, destroyed 250 homes, and spread ash across the U.S.

1981 - Ronald Reagan becomes President of the United States

1981 - June 5 - First reported case of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

1982 - The camcorder is invented (Sony Corp., Japan)

1983 - The laptop computer is invented (Radio Shack Corp., United States)

1986 - January 28 - Space Shuttle Challenger accident - The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, when the shuttle broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the deaths of its seven crew members.

1989 - The World Wide Web is invented at CERN (Tim Berners-Lee, UK)

1989 - George H. W. Bush becomes President of the United States

1993 - William J. Clinton becomes President of the United States

Ben Aycrigg Bows Out Of Tv News ''central Florida's Walter Cronkite'' Put Substance Above Style In His 35-year Broadcast Career At Wcpx-channel 6. November 01, 1996| By Jim Abbott of The Sentinel Staff
articles.orlandosentinel.com/
1996-11-01/ lifestyle/ 9610301083_1_cronkite-anchor-wcpx

When colleagues at WCPX-Channel 6 compare news anchor Ben Aycrigg to Walter Cronkite, you might consider it public-relations hype.

Not so easily dismissed is an unsolicited greeting from the man serving Aycrigg roast beef at a buffet restaurant near the studio on a recent afternoon.

''I knew you'd outlast Walter Cronkite,'' he tells Aycrigg, an infrequent lunch-time customer. ''I've been watching you all my life.''

In a business marked by quick turnover and big egos, Ben Aycrigg, 70, is an anomaly. For 35 years, ''Central Florida's Walter Cronkite'' has worked for the same station - as a reporter, a news director and a news anchor.

For the past few years, he has been arriving at the studio like clockwork several hours before his noon broadcast - as he did one day last week - in a conservative gray suit, understated red tie and brown wingtips.

No flash. No nonsense. No...Read full story

2001 - George W. Bush becomes President of the United States

2001 - September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Coordinated terrorist attacks by the extremist group al-Qaeda on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, leading to significant changes in U.S. domestic and foreign policy, including the War on Terror.

Orlando Television’s Golden 50 List
rogersimmons.com/
florida-television-history/
orlando-tv-stations/ golden-50-list/

1. Ben Aycrigg

He’s been called the “Walter Cronkite of Orlando.” And for 35 years, that’s the way it was. Ben Aycrigg was the face Channel 6 news for many Central Floridians. He reported with authority and knowledge as someone who grew up in the region. After graduating from Winter Park High School in 1944, Aycrigg began work at WDBO-AM as a radio announcer. He went on to attend Rollins College, and after graduation he landed at job at WLOF-Channel 9 as a reporter in 1959. He worked there two years before jumping across town to the more popular WDBO-Channel 6 — the start of a long and distinguished career. He became the station’s first reporter for its four-person news department, one which he would head as news director from 1968-76. After anchoring solo most of his career, he began to be paired with co-anchors in 1976, eventually teaming with Annetta Wilson — the area’s first...Read full story

2009 - Barack Obama becomes President of the United States

Photo from obituary

Grave

Woodlawn Memorial Park Gotha Orange County Florida, USA

findagrave.com

Death — 2014
4 November 2014
Florida, USA
He died at the age of 88.

Obituary
Orlando TV legend Ben Aycrigg dead at 88

November 5, 2014
The dean of Orlando television anchors has died.

Ben Aycrigg, who became a local TV legend for the 35 years he logged at Channel 6, died of renal failure Tuesday night at his Maitland home, WKMG-Channel 6 announced Wednesday on its website. He was 88.

Aycrigg retired in 1996 from WCPX, as the station was then known. During his long run there, he worked as reporter, news director and anchor.

'Ben Aycrigg was THE news anchor in Central Florida for many years,' WKMG General Manager Skip Valet said. 'He's often been called the 'Walter Cronkite of Orlando television,' and with good reason. Ben shared the day's news, good and bad, with a clear, authoritative voice that told Channel 6 viewers, no matter how dire the news, in the end we were all going to be all right.'

Aycrigg was celebrated for an anchoring style that had no flash or nonsense and for a personal style that was nice and friendly.

Annetta Wilson, who...Read full story

FINAL RESTING PLACE