Emil Benvenuto

EMIL (BENNIE) BENVENUTO Emil (Bennie) Benvenuto, 80, of Greenwich passed away peacefully after losing his battle to cancer on October 4th, 2011 at the Stamford Hospital. He was born in Greenwich, CT on June 26, 1931 to the late Rocco and Angelina (Bruno) Benvenuto. He was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth (Betty) Martinelli and a brother Frank Benvenuto. He is survived by his loving wife Marion Robertson, sister Rita Robustelli (Albert) of Cape Cod, a brother Anthony (Claudette) of Riverside, step-children William (Wanda), Sheldon and Sarah Robertson, 3 Step Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Bennie was educated in the Greenwich School System. He served in the US Army at Fort Lee, Virginia from 1952-1954. As an active member of his community he was elected to serve in the Connecticut State Legislature since 1977. He was also a ranking member of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee and the Executive and Legislative Nominating Committee and the Regulations Review Committee. Bennie co-chaired the committee which selected Connecticut's first Inspector General and co-sponsored the CT Lemon Law. He helped sponsor legislation which enabled the town of Greenwich to purchase the Cos Cob Power Plant and the Mianus Pond. He was a member of district 12 Town Meeting and served on the Republican Town Committee. He was the owner of Benvenuto Real Estate Investment Co., established in 1965. He sold Bennie Sez Liquor Mart in 1988 after 33 years of sole ownership. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, American Legion, American Legislative Exchange Council, National Conference of Insurance Legislators, Greenwich Council on Youth and Drugs, and a Board Member of the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club. Bennie was appointed to the Small Business Advisory Council by the White House and in 1988 he was the recipient of the Greenwich Conservation Commissions "Conservation person of the year" His passion for breeding and racing his horses gave him great pleasure throughout the years. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Catherine of Siena Church, 4 Riverside Ave., Riverside, CT 06878 or to a charity of your choice in his memory. Family and friends may call at the Castiglione Funeral Home, Inc., 134 Hamilton Ave. in Greenwich on Thursday, October 6, 2011 from 4-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 10:00AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church. Internment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.