James R. Bensley

James R. Bensley, age 65, of Medina, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Born November 21, 1958 in Medina, he was the son of the late Robert J. and Anne (Wasvary) Bensley. Jim grew up in Medina, attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Medina High School in 1977. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Buffalo State College in 1986 and Master’s Degree from Virginia Tech in 1988, both degrees in Urban and Regional Planning. Shortly after, Jim returned to his alma mater as an adjunct instructor in the urban and regional planning program at Buffalo State College for nearly 30 years. Highly regarded in the field of planning, he was known to have exemplary passion and commitment to the profession. Jim worked for many years as a county planner for the Orleans County Planning & Development Department. In 2015, he was promoted from Senior Planner to the Director of the department. During his tenure with the county, Jim led multiple Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs in the region among other projects. In 2018, he was awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching and was recently awarded the Michael J. Krasner Professional Planner Award. Jim was a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), served on the board of commissioners for the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority- Regional Transit Service (RTS), Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council and the County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Council. Jim was also a graduate of the Leadership Orleans program. Outside of work, Jim was a sports enthusiast. He enjoyed traveling to games in various genera of sports and was a diehard fan of the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bisons and the Cleveland Indians. Jim enjoyed staying active whether it was biking, rollerblading, ice-skating or kayaking. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

Left to honor his memory are his sister, Paula Bensley (John Borello) of Albion; his niece, Brooke Bensley (fiancé, Steven Elensky III) of Rochester; along with many cousins and extended family members of the Bensley and Hayden families. 

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, August 28 from 4-7PM at Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 10AM at Holy Trinity Parish, St. Mary’s Church, 211 Eagle St., Medina. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.