Obituary of William A. Benedetto

William "Bill" Benedetto, age 93, who generously gave to his family and friends, died peacefully on Thursday, at St. Joseph's Manor in Trumbull, CT. In Bill's words... Born and baptized Vito Antonio yet was known as William or Bill to family and friends all his life. Bill was the 11th child of the late Vito Benedetto and Erminia (Gallucci) Benedetto. He attended kindergarten at Grand Street School then continued to Columbus School and graduated from Central High School in 1939. As a child Bill played basketball at the Middle Street Boy's Club and the old Redman Hall on Madison Avenue. When his brother-in-law, Leonard "Duke" Capozzi started his Oil Business, Capozzi Bros. Fuel, Bill helped to deliver oil on Saturdays and worked after school every day for two years to help the family business grow and become successful. In 1940, he landed a job through the Boy's Club at Bonvini Dental Laboratory and was a loyal employee for 67 years. Bill stated that, "he enjoyed it all the time. Mr. Bonvini treated him like a son and Ed was like a brother". He was the loving husband of Antoinette (Toni Cinotti) Benedetto for 63 years. Bill was introduced to Toni on the phone from the Boy's Club in 1941 and after talking for a few weeks they had their first date. Bill stated "it was his very first date and was with the most beautiful girl he had ever met". Bill and Toni used to meet behind Greene's 5 and 10 store (where her sister Allie worked) at lunch time. At the time, Bill was working in downtown Bridgeport and Toni was at GE. Bill took care of Toni with unbelievable devotion, he was so lovingly committed to her. She had his undivided love and attention until she died in 2009. Bill and Toni enjoyed playing pinochle every Saturday night with Mike, Anna, Freddie & Florence. Bill is survived by his beloved and devoted daughter, Erma Benedetto of Bridgeport; many devoted nieces and nephews, as well as many great nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was pre-deceased by his brothers, Joseph, John, Sylvester, Bartholomew, Louis, Ernest, Michael, Anthony, and Dominick as well as three sisters, Teresa Capozzi, Florence Riccio and Anna Gargano and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and a few nephews. Bill's family is deeply grateful for the dedicated staff at St. Joseph's Manor who provided him with care, love and support over the last several years. Their kindness will always be remembered. Funeral Services will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 9:00 am in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull and at 10:00 am in St. Margaret's Shrine, Bridgeport for a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 from 4-8 pm at the funeral home.