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Benjamin DeSantis Obituary
PITTSFIELD -- Benjamin Edward DeSantis, 81, of Crane Avenue died yesterday at Berkshire Medical Center.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., on Sept. 3, 1922, son of Biagio and Angelina Albano DeSantis, he attended schools in Pittsfield and graduated in 1940 from Pittsfield High School.
An Army veteran of World War II, he served as a staff sergeant with the Medical Corps.
Mr. DeSantis was employed by GE for 42 years, retiring as a production control coordinator in 1983.
He was a member of United Methodist Church of Lenox, and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 448 and a past president of its club. He also was a member of the American Legion and the GE Quarter Century and Pensioners' clubs. He enjoyed horse racing, cards, dancing, traveling and vegetable gardening.
He and his wife, the former Shirley A. Harper, would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary July 13.
Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Tracy A. DelSignore of Lenox Dale; two brothers, John DeSantis of Pittsfield and Edward DeSantis of Denver; three sisters, Lucy Manzolini, Mary Farina and Dorothy Phelps, all of Pittsfield; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Another daughter, Sheran Ann Ostrander, died Dec. 12, 1991.
FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Benjamin E. "Benny" DeSantis, who died June 14, 2004, will be conducted Wednesday at 9:30 at DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St., by the Rev. Eric Dupee, pastor of United Methodist Church of Lenox. Burial will follow in Pittsfield Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be today, June 15, from 3 to 6:30. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to the Salvation Army or to the Pittsfield Boys' and Girls' Club, both in care of the funeral home. Benny is lovingly survived by his five adored grandchildren, Jaime Ostrander, Gary Ostrander, Justin DelSignore, Calla DelSignore and Nathan DelSignore, and by his three cherished great-grandchildren, Kyle Lyman, Talar Ostrander and Quimby DelSignore. He was predeceased by three brothers, Dominick, Daniel and Louis DeSantis.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin DeSantis
M Beth Barbarotta
June 22, 2004
I have so many happy memories from my childhood that Benny and Shirley
and the family are so much a part of. I loved growing up watching the the special friendships that our families had and remember all the fun times sharing all the holidays from the fourth of july picnics to Xmas Eve and New Years
parties they all shared for soooooooo many years!Benny will always have a special place in my heart! He will be sadly missed.
Pat and Gloria Lacy
June 18, 2004
Aunt Shirley, Tracy, Brothers and sisters and grandkids.
I'll miss walking the boardwalk and watching Aunt Shirley manipulate a couple of bucks out of him for the slots.
You had him wraped around your finger (even if he didn't admit it). I'll miss him calling me Dan. (never resenting the comparason).
I'll never have sausage soup the same way.
Aunt Sirley you provided him good care and lots of love....A greater being knows that.
Gloria and I will miss him. Loving you always.
Pat and Jean (Gloria)
JOHN AND JUDY HARPER
June 17, 2004
AUNT SHIRLEY
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU
pat smith-marquis
June 17, 2004
Dear Shirley and Tracie,
I was saddened to hear about Benny.You two were my favorites out of all mom and dad's friends. I wish I could be there for you, but know you are in my prayers and thoughts.
Love,
Pat Smith-Marquis
paula kettles
June 16, 2004
Shirley and family
so sad to hear of your loss
accept our sympathies.
paula & don Kettles (LITANO)
Lisa Del Signore
June 15, 2004
Mrs. DeSantis,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Please know you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Lisa
mary wyand rankin
June 15, 2004
Hello, to the De Santis Family,
I have many happy memories of the De Santis Family. Mrs. de Dansits and our mother, Mrs. Anne Wyand were friends for many years. I remember that Benny came to our mother's wake several years ago, and we talked about the "old days". We seem to do that a lot now.
i remember Mary and Lucy, too, and I send my condolences and love to you all.
Mary Wyand Rankin...........
The Connelly Family
June 15, 2004
To Shirley, Tracy and the kids,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we are so sorry for your loss. You remain in our hearts.
Love from Ed, Susan, Sheila, Brittany, Kevin & Mel
sheila connelly
June 15, 2004
Dear Tracy,
My heart is with you and your Mom and the kids. I wish I could be there.
I am with you in spirit, and will always remember your Dad and all the times we had growing up so fondly.
Love to all of you, and peace be with you.
Love,
Sheil
Mandy Bailey
June 15, 2004
We are thinking of you jaime. Take it easy.
love eric and mandy
Dolores Cronin Daigle
June 15, 2004
Shirley, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this sad time.
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