Benito
Benito J. LaVena
d. April 17, 2009
Benito J.“Ben” LaVena, 83, of North Providence, passed away Friday, April 17, 2009 at North Bay Manor in Smithfield. He was the beloved husband of Evelyn (Palumbo) LaVena. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Luigi and Antonetta (Sano) LaVena.
Ben had worked as a machine operator for General Electric Base Works in Providence for 26 years, before retiring in 1987. He volunteered in the cross country skiing event at the Special Olympics and also volunteered as a CCD instructor for special needs children at Our Lady of Grace Church. A member of the Coast Guard from 1943 to 1946, he survived a German torpedo attack while stationed on the USS Menges. He also served in the United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command, from 1956 to 1960.
Besides his wife of 57 years, he leaves a brother, Anthony LaVena and many nieces and nephews. He and his wife are also God Parents to seven children. He was the brother of the late Anthony and Victor E. LaVena, Nancy Grossi and Frances San Antonio.
His funeral will be held Tuesday at 9 a.m. from the Maceroni Funeral Home, 1381 Smith St., North Providence, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Augustine Church, Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence. Visitation Monday 5-8 p.m. Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Special Olympics RI, 33 College Hill Rd., Bldg. 31, Warwick, RI 02886.
Ben had worked as a machine operator for General Electric Base Works in Providence for 26 years, before retiring in 1987. He volunteered in the cross country skiing event at the Special Olympics and also volunteered as a CCD instructor for special needs children at Our Lady of Grace Church. A member of the Coast Guard from 1943 to 1946, he survived a German torpedo attack while stationed on the USS Menges. He also served in the United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command, from 1956 to 1960.
Besides his wife of 57 years, he leaves a brother, Anthony LaVena and many nieces and nephews. He and his wife are also God Parents to seven children. He was the brother of the late Anthony and Victor E. LaVena, Nancy Grossi and Frances San Antonio.
His funeral will be held Tuesday at 9 a.m. from the Maceroni Funeral Home, 1381 Smith St., North Providence, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Augustine Church, Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence. Visitation Monday 5-8 p.m. Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Special Olympics RI, 33 College Hill Rd., Bldg. 31, Warwick, RI 02886.
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