Anthony T. "Totsy" DeBenedetto

AUBURN | Anthony T. "Totsy" DeBenedetto, 79, the husband of the late Shirley Portello DeBenedetto, of Kennedy Lane, Auburn, died Friday, March 13, 2015 in Matthew House. A life resident of Auburn, Totsy was a communicant of St. Francis Church. Until his retirement, he had been employed by New Process Gear for 40 years.

He is survived by three sons, Gerald and his wife, Mary, of West Seneca, N.Y., Michael and his wife, Robin, and Theodore "Teddy" DeBenedetto, all of Auburn; a brother, Dominick and his wife, Eleanor; a sister, Philomena Falcone, and sisters-in-law, Kathleen Malvaso, and Eileen Applebee and her husband, Rich, all of Auburn; four grandchildren, Amanda Curtis and Priscilla, Anthony, and Angela DeBenedetto; three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Shirley, and his parents, Peter and Claudine Gelsi DeBenedetto, Totsy was predeceased by a son, Peter, and a brother-in-law, Peter Falcone.

Friends are invited to join the family for a Mass of Christian burial to be offered at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Francis Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours for Totsy will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Cheche Funeral Home Inc., 1778 Clark St. Road, Auburn.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Matthew House for the loving care given to Totsy.

Totsy was an avid baker and took great pleasure in giving pies, cakes, and baked goods to his many friends. He was a true people person, and in addition to his loving family, his greatest possessions were the many friends that he had gained throughout his life.

Contributions may be made in memory of Totsy to the Matthew House, 43 Metcalf Drive, Auburn, NY 13021.

To send condolences, please visit www.chechefuneralhome.com.