Shane Benham/Pillis

Shane Patrick Benham/Pillis, 29, went Home to the Lord on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at his home at the Trudeau Road ARC house with his beloved mother, Pat Pillis, step-father, Paul Pillis and spiritual counselor and friend, Jeff Gray at his side.

Shane was born July 14, 1981, in Cambridge, NY, to his birth parents, Frederick and Claudette Pinkerton. Because of the Pinkerton’s deteriorating health, Shane was adopted by Reginald and Patricia (Pillis) Benham in 1984. Shane attended Saranac Lake Central School, where he ran in the cross country team, and then graduated from Crotched Mountain School in Greenfield, NH, in 2002.

Shane is survived by his mother, step father, four siblings and a brother-in-law – Frederick Benham of Beaumont, TX; Michael Young of Lee, MA, Kevin Benham of Florence, AZ, and Shannon (Pillis) Sauers and her husband, Dylan, of Arlington, TX. He was predeceased by his birth parents; and his adoptive father, Reginald Benham. He will also be missed by the wonderful caregivers at the Adirondack ARC who lovingly cared for him.

Shane was and is an ardent follower of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and is now dancing on streets of gold in Heaven where Jesus went ahead of him to prepare a home for Shane. We rejoice that he is free at last, and yet he will be so deeply missed. Shane received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior when a child attending Lake Placid Baptist Church. He lived his life with a childlike faith and looked forward to relocating to Heaven for many months before his Home-going. He was a joy to all who had the good fortune of knowing him and will be remembered for his glorious smile, quick wit, flirtatious ways, and his joyful attitude. Shane had many trials in this life, though he never complained, and is now in his real Home.

Calling hours will take place on Friday, October 29, 2010 from 2:00 – 4:00 and from 6:00 – 8:00 at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A celebration of his life and home-going will take place at Lake Placid Baptist Church on Saturday, October 30, 2010, at 11:00 am with Pastors Derek Spain and Jeff Gray officiating. Burial will follow at the Harrietstown Cemetery and a reception at the Pillis home.

Friends wishing to remember Shane P. Benham/Pillis may make memorial contributions to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (designated for Juvenile HD), High Peaks Hospice, or Lake Placid Baptist Church in his memory. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com