Obituary of Bennie A. Ditonto

Bennie A. Ditonto, Sr., age 94,, of Lakewood, NY, died at 4:58 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, in the Heritage Green Health Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility, after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife, Nellie M. (Scala) Ditonto. On June 28th of this year, they celebrated 64 years of marriage. He also is survived by two sons, Bennie A. Ditonto, Jr. of Warren, PA and Guy A. Ditonto (Ellen) of Jamestown, NY; six grandchildren, Matthew B. Ditonto (Lee Ann) of Jamestown, NY; Julie E. Ditonto of Jamestown, NY; Kimberly J. (Matthew) Gryskewicz of Cranberry, PA; Gillian M. (John I.) LaMancuso of Jamestown, NY; April S. (Matthew) Landin of Pittsburgh, PA, and Nathan A. Ditonto of Jamestown,NY; four great-grandchildren, John F. LaMancuso; Gabriel and Annika Landin, and Ashton Gryskewicz, and one sister, Estelle Auria Francia of Los Angeles, CA, along with a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alessandro and Josephine Cecchini Ditonto; brothers and sisters: Lawrence and Anthony Ditonto, Cecelia Welch, Katherine Floccare, Mary Destro, and Linda Slemmons, and daughter-in-law, Sandra J. Ditonto. He retired as stockroom supervisor in 1987 from Dowcraft Corporation in Falconer, NY, where he was employed for 40 years. He served as a volunteer for "Meals on Wheels" immediately following his retirement. He was a proud World War II Army veteran, having served from November 12, 1942 through December 4, 1945, as a surgical technician in Central Europe, Normandy and northern France with the 44th and 499th Field Hospital and Medical Collective Company. In 2001, he was presented with his Jamestown High School Diploma by then Governor George Pataki, along with a group of veterans who had left school to help support their families and then were drafted prior to their original graduation date. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Lakewood Memorial Post 1286, American Legion, and the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. An avid gardener, he also enjoyed bowling and golf and was a life-long New York Yankees fan. He enjoyed celebrating special times with all of his grandchildren and attended most of their events, ball games, and concerts. He was a wonderful storyteller and his stories were the highlight of many family occasions. He was overjoyed to be able to meet all his great-grandchildren in the last three years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lakewood, NY. The Rev. Piotr Zaczynski, pastor will be celebrant. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 380 E. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY, or Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 West Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750. You may leave a condolence to Bennie's family at www.lindfuneralhome.com.