Ben Anthony Melchiorre

1952 - 2021

BEN ANTHONY
MELCHIORRE

LAKELAND - Mr. Ben Anthony Melchiorre passed away on Friday, January 8, 2021. Ben was born on June 13, 1952 in New Castle, PA and is formerly of Cleveland, OH, Cape Coral, FL, and Niskayuna, NY. He graduated from Baldwin Wallace College with a Bachelor of Arts in Art degree. After retiring from General Electric in 2017, he and his wife split their time between Lakeland, FL and Fort Wayne, IN.
His faith and his family were of the utmost importance to Ben. From a very young age, he served his church and his community at large in many capacities such as Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Parish Council and Finance Boards. One of his most passionate ministries was decorating the church for events and Holy Seasons. 'PEACE, LOVE, JOY' became his mantra as his first outside decoration on the roof of his home in Cleveland, Ohio. Over the years his Christmas decorations grew much more elaborate and the handmade lighted décor was enhanced with technology and music. Bringing Peace, Love and Joy to the community made him the happiest. After moving to Niskayuna, he focused his attention on his expansive indoor Christmas Village, which took up an entire room, incorporating both nostalgic and modern pieces, animation and various gauge train systems. His dream was to have his display open to the community for their enjoyment.
Ben is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Melchiorre, and mother Geraldine Melchiorre. He is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Melchiorre; step-daughter Angie Brown of Fort Wayne, IN; siblings Renee (Steven) Parker of Lakeland, FL; and John (Maria) Melchiorre of Hinckley, OH; nieces and nephews Allison (Kyle) Davis and their daughter, Amelia, of Lakeland, FL; Jarrad (fiancée Alyssa DePascale) Parker of Astoria, NY; Alexandra (fiancé Brendan Gulick) Melchiorre of Dayton, OH; Zachary (fiancée Natalie Roma) Melchiorre of Lakewood, OH; and sister-in-law Cindy (John) Williams of Indianapolis, IN. He is additionally survived by his two beloved canines, Amy and Izzy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 29, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Terrace Way, Lakeland, FL 33813 with interment immediately following at Lakeland Memorial Gardens, 2125 S. Bartow Rd. For those whom cannot attend, the Funeral Mass will be livestreamed via the Resurrection Catholic Church YouTube channel and can be accessed at https://bit.ly/35DybX0.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ben's honor to the Wounded Warrior Project; P.O. Box 758516; Topeka, KS 66675-8516. Online condolences may be left at www.Lakelandfuneralhome.com.