Pierre Leo Paul Benoit was born March 3, 1947 in St. Timothe, Quebec, Canada to the parents of Leo and Rollande (Gagne) Benoit. He was united in marriage to Ginette Prevost in 1974 and from that marriage a son Gabriel was born.

Pierre graduated from Montreal Institute of Technology and spent a career as a machinist and toolmaker. He worked at several companies but finally landed in Waterloo, Iowa at his brother's company, Saturn Tool. There wasn't a problem Pierre couldn't solve when it came to toolmaking. He retired from Saturn Tool in 2014.

Pierre had an exuberance for life unmatched by most. During college he joined a band with his brother, Jacque, playing saxophone. He also enjoyed coaching hockey, playing golf, snow skiing and international travel. During travels, Pierre always made a friend and loved experiencing new culture and the interesting foods from those destinations.

Pierre had a passion for adventure. Whether that was riding on his Harley, his BMW, or in later years his Vespa he always found joy in the ride. He was an active member for years in the Waterloo Harley Owners Group.

While residing in Cedar Falls, he participated in a group called "The  French Table" that gathered to enjoy the common sharing of language. The group met regularly and included a wide range of students and professionals.

In 2012 Pierre was reunited with his son Jayson who was born and raised in Iowa and raising his own family in Pella. Always longing to know Jayson and his family, there was deep joy in that opportunity and he often talked of his "precious little family." A trip with the two of them to Canada to meet extended family and see his homeland met his deep desire to share that with his son. As a relationship developed after lost years, it ended with Pierre moving to Pella and finishing his years here with his son and family.

Pierre is survived by his son Jayson and Nancy Henry of Pella, Iowa; his grandchildren: Camille Henry of St. George, Utah, Colin Henry of Newton, Iowa, Clayton Henry of Pella, Iowa, and Carlyn Henry of Pella, Iowa; and his siblings: Jacque and Vicki Benoit of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Mario and Lucille Benoit of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and Yvan and Nicole (Benoit) Turcotte of Riviere Beaudette, Quebec, Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Rollande Benoit, his son Gabriel, and his brother Marcel Benoit.