In Memoriam
| Benedict R. Maryniak, historian, Civil War expert |  |
Even on hot summer days, Benedict R. Maryniak was more than willing to suit up in wool period clothing to portray the Rev. Philos Cook, a Civil War chaplain who served in the 94th New York Volunteers.
The image Mr. Maryniak conjured as he quoted Cook, who was once affiliated with First Presbyterian Church, brought to life the epic struggle between North and South, and its spiritual implications, for audiences at Civil War re-enactments and church services. And it served his objective of connecting Buffalo to the historical “big picture” of that era.
Mr. Maryniak, a renowned expert on the Civil War and Town of Lancaster historian, died Monday in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst, following a three-month illness. He was 61.
Though his career was in human services, he was most recognized for his contributions to Civil War history. Having studied the conflict since adolescence, he renewed his interest in the late 1970s when he and a friend, Tom Grace, revived the dormant Buffalo Civil War Round Table. Mr. Maryniak became its president, a position he held until his death.
In that capacity, Mr. Maryniak produced a highly regarded monthly newsletter that contained one or more articles of original research in every issue. He contributed to a number of national Civil War publications, including the Civil War Courier, for which he wrote the column, “The Famous Long Ago.” He led the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society’s annual Abraham Lincoln’s birthday observance for several decades.
Mr. Maryniak co-wrote two books, “The Spirit Divided: Memoirs of Civil War Chaplains —The Union” and “Faith In the Fight: Civil War Chaplains.” He also wrote book reviews and articles for magazines and assisted many historians and writers in their work. He has been cited in at least 15 other books on the war.
“Ben had an encyclopedic mind,” Grace recalled. “I once saw him give a presentation on the Battle of Shiloh that went on for two hours—without notes. It was extraordinary.”
Mr. Maryniak and his wife, Catherine Curley, spent many summers as re-enactors, educating the curious about life during the Civil War. His performances attracted filmmakers who cast him as Father William Corby, a chaplain of the famous Irish Brigade, in the movies “Gettysburg” and “North and South.” Mr. Maryniak was also an expert on the Fenians, an Irish nationalist organization composed of Civil War veterans, and their 1866 raid into Canada.
Born in Buffalo, he graduated from Bishop Turner High School in 1965. He graduated from Canisius College with a degree in sociology in 1969. After teaching briefly, he entered the human services field. He worked for Erie County Social Services before moving to West Seneca Developmental Center, where he was a social worker and then a program specialist.
He was director of the Lutheran Services residential program and worked at the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhoods before retiring from the Erie County Home and Infirmary in 2006. He was a member of the Civil Service Employees Association and Public Employees Federation.
A self-taught artist and photographer, he crafted Civil War dioramas and was a model railroad buff. Over the years, Mr. Maryniak also played bass guitar for several bands, including Black Mariah in the 1960s and, later, Southern Cross. Chuck Berry was among the musicians with whom he played.
Surviving, besides his wife, are a son, Eduard, and a daughter, Dr. Kendra Baumgartner.
A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday in Griffins Mills Presbyterian Church, Mill Road, West Falls.
—Tom Buckham
(The above obituary is reprinted from the Buffalo News.)
Ben Maryniak presiding as Rev. Philos Cook at the 2006 Lincoln Birthday
observance on the portico of the Historical Society.