Mourners remember Supervisor John Benoit’s legacy, personality

On the day of Riverside County Supervisor John J. Benoit’s funeral service, thousands of people gathered to remember the late public servant. While many attended the service at St. Francis of Assisi in La Quinta, a few were able to watch a live feed at Southwest Church in Indian Wells.

Southwest Church was also the staging area for those who wanted to shuttle over to St. Francis. One of them was Mitch Blumberg, senior vice president of Desert Arc. He said he would always remember Benoit’s warm personality toward others.

“He was always pleasant and agreeable and very friendly,” he said. “He would listen to you ask him a question, an issue or something you needed help with, and he was always there to help out.”

Jean Mulcair, of the East Valley Republicans felt Benoit’s passing was a big loss for the Coachella Valley due to his long public service and said it would be tough replacing him.

“He was that special kind of guy that he made you think you were one of his special friends,” she said. “He’ll be a hard person to follow. His footsteps will be very, very difficult.”