Benedict Jacobellis

Jacobellis, Benedict R.
Benedict R. Jacobellis of West Palm Beach, Florida, formerly of the Greenfield Hill section of Fairfield, passed away on Monday October 14, 2013 in West Palm Beach, FL. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Mr. Jacobellis had been a Fairfield resident for 30 years prior to moving to Florida. He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1948 and received a Master's degree in Engineering from the University of Michigan. In the Korean War, he received numerous awards and medals for his bravery including a Silver Star, Bronze Star with V, and a Purple Heart. As a Signal Corp officer, he played a major role in setting up automatic data processing in the Army for field use. Also, he was the project manager for the successful "Courier" satellite launch at Cape Canaveral with the team work of the Army and Air force. He performed several leadership roles in the Army for 10 years and worked in the Pentagon as a civilian. He then entered private industry and ultimately started his own company, "Electronic Security and Control Systems" with some of his children in 1975. He will be remembered for his love of life, his strength, and determination, which was inspiring to everyone. Ben was an avid golfer until recently, and above all else, delighted in time spent with his family and friends. Survivors include his beloved wife, Sandra Jacobellis of West Palm Beach, FL, his eight children, Nicholas Jacobellis of Ipswich, MA, James Jacobellis of Bedford, MA, Benedict Jacobellis, Jr. of Winhall, VT, Gina Jacobellis of Tequesta, FL, John Jacobellis of Windsor, CT, Diana Lucivero of E. Falmouth, MA, Annabelle Minalga of Seymour, CT, and Theresa Cook of Tequesta, FL; 2 stepchildren, Christopher Heist of Gainesville, FL, and Stephanie Heist of West Palm Beach, FL; a brother, Alphonse Jacobellis of Woodland Hills, CA; a sister, Maria Lauto of Dix Hills, NY; 20 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his late wife of 50 years, Barbara Boyer Jacobellis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield. Interment with military honors will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield. Friends may call Friday from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com