Boniface J. Damiano
Boniface (Ben) Damiano, 84, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, passed away at his home on February 12, 2017 after a battle with lymphoma.
He was born on October 20, 1932 in South Orange, New Jersey, the son of the late Boniface and Bettina Damiano, who were Italian immigrants. Ben graduated Union High School in 1950, and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his service, Ben joined the South Orange Police Department and achieved the rank of lieutenant while attending Seton Hall University to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree. During his undergraduate years in college, he met the love of his life, Leonora, his wife of 57 years. Ben and Leonora married in August 1959 and were blessed with four children. In 1970, Ben took a positon as Bureau Chief with the New Jersey Division of Human Services where he worked until his retirement.
Ben’s greatest joy was his family. As the consummate patriarch, he enjoyed storytelling, games, sports, and music; his love of life was always on full display. Throughout the years, Ben and Leonora, traveled the world visiting Canada, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Ireland, France, and Mexico. Devoutly Catholic, they made pilgrimages to Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, the Holy Land and the Vatican, even meeting Pope John Paul II.
Ben is survived by his wife, Leonora, and their children: Diane (Steven) Fisher, Karen (Steve) Petrucelli, Thomas (Megan) Damiano, Judy (Walter) Loving; his sister Anne (Norbert) Wasileski; 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Rose Sowerbrower, and brother Anthony Damiano.
Visitation will be on Saturday, February, 18th from 8:30 A.M. until 9:30 A.M. at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 251 Franklin St. Hightstown, New Jersey, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M. Entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery, 840 Cranbury South River Road, Jamesburg New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Anthony of Padua RC Church to go towards children’s ministries.
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