Benedict Castriota

Benedict T. Castriota
Benedict T. Castriota, 72, of Bethlehem, passed away on July 24, 2012. He was the husband of Mary Jane (Gunning) Castriota with whom he shared 13 years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rose Marie (Matteo) Castriota. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Thomas and Anna (Fichera) Castriota. Ben served as a police officer with the NYPD in the Helicopter and Highway Patrol Division for 23 years, retiring in 1989. Ben was a proud veteran who served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict and the US Army in active and reserve duty for nearly 30 years, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer-3. He was a member of the Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church and was active in many community organizations in New York and Pennsylvania. He was an avid model railroad enthusiast, member of the Guthsville, Hellertown and Unami gun clubs and a youth rifle target instructor. Survivors: In addition to his loving wife Mary Jane, he will be remembered by his children, Thomas and wife, Deborah, Ann Marie Beery and husband, Matthew, Steven and wife Ann Marie, and Michele Sparks and husband, Vernon; and his twenty-three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas, late husband of Maria (Argento) Castriota. Services: Arrangements have been entrusted to Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad Street, Bethlehem, where viewing hours will be held on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., on Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Notre Dame Catholic Church, 1861 Catasauqua Rd., Bethlehem. Burial will take place on Monday at 12 p.m. in the Long Island National Cemetery in Melville, NY. Offer condolences online at www.connellfuneral.com Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Lukes Hospice Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 or the Guthsville JR. Rod and Gun Rifle Team, PO Box 156, Orefield, PA 18069.