FLORENCE, MA – Joseph Arthur Binner, beloved father, engineer, entrepreneur, and a man of quiet strength and enduring character, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the age of 90 in Florence, Massachusetts, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born in Hungary, he escaped communist rule in the 1950s and immigrated to Canada while attending college. A mechanical engineer, he moved his family to the United States in 1966 and founded a successful polyurethane company whose materials became part of products used around the world. He retired at age 55.
Known for his intelligence, discipline, determination-and occasional stubbornness-he also had a dry sense of humor that remained with him to the very end.
In his younger years he was a swimmer and water polo player, and later enjoyed golf, tennis, skiing, gardening, landscaping, and world travel.
He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia and brother Pubi Binner.
He is survived by his children Carl Binner (Deborah Day) and Christina Binner Russell (Jeff Russell); his first wife Raymonde Binner; stepchildren Bambi, Heath, and Chris Rawlings; step-grandchild, Jenna Rawlings and sister-in-law, Agnes Binner. There will be a graveside service in Mill River Cemetery in South Deerfield at a time to be announced. Donations in his memory may be made to Cooley Dickinson Hospital online or sent directly to the Development Office, PO Box 329, Northampton MA 01060.
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