Frank "Dick" Banelli

BANELLI, Frank "Dick" Frank `Dick` Banelli, 93, of Lynn Heights Road, Torrington, and of Jupiter, FL, died Sunday, (January 11, 2009) at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. He was the husband of Grace (Bonasera) Banelli. Born April 4, 1915 in East Canaan, he was the son of the late Peter and Dina (Biagiotti) Banelli. He served his Country with the United States Army during World War II, honorably discharged during November of 1945 as a Sergeant to the Headquarters and Battery 601st Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Included among the awards and decorations he received was the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon and the Victory Medal. Upon returning home from serving his Country, he became part owner and operator of a building and mason contracting company, Banelli and Fratta for 20 years. Dick was an active real estate developer and later formed his own company, Banelli Building and Developing. Among his accomplishments were building and co-owning Litchfield Hills Medical Center, he built Lakeridge, a condominium development in Burrville, and built a United States Post Office in Groton. An avid golfer into his 90's, he also enjoyed many years of skiing, playing tennis, swimming, diving and gymnastics. He was a member of the Torrington Country Club, the Torrington Elks Lodge #372, the Torrington Chapter of UNICO, the Veteran of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. In addition to his beloved and devoted wife of 58 years, Grace, he is survived by three loving children; Sandra Hamm and her husband David of New Hartford, Richard Banelli and his wife Sharon of Torrington, Karen Trobel and her husband Ken of Torrington, five cherished grandchildren; Christopher Hamm, Jeffrey Hamm, Keatha Banelli, Brian Banelli, Lindsay Trobel, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Albert Banelli and two sisters; Geneva Gordon and Bruna Banelli. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 14 at 10 a.m. from The LaPorta-Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, to St. Peter Church, 107 East Main St., Torrington for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery with full military honors. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. at The LaPorta-Cook Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Cancer Care Fund, P. O. Box 1801, Litchfield, CT 06759 or to the Torrington Chapter of UNICO, P. O. Box 175, Torrington, CT 06790. Condolences may be sent to the Banelli family by visiting www.laportacookfuneralhome.com