Benjamin (Bernardo) J. Tiezzi
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Benjamin (Bernardo) J. Tiezzi, of Fort Myers Beach, FL and Middlefield, CT, formerly of Meriden, CT, loving husband to the late Lydia Kaczmarczyk Tiezzi, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 22, 2021, surrounded by his family.
Born in Meriden on August 26, 1928, he was the son of the late Attilio and Primetta Rosi Tiezzi and had attended local high schools. "Bobo", a nickname that was pinned on him by a friend when he attended Lincoln Junior High School, was very active in playing local baseball with the Holy Names, Cubs, and Allies. He was a 1946-47 graduate of Meriden High School and Horace Wilcox Technical School, where he played varsity baseball and basketball for three years under his long-time idol and friend, the late Ben Zajac.
He was a lifetime parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels in Meriden and the Church of Ascension in Fort Myers Beach, FL.
He served with the U.S. Army and was a Korean Conflict veteran with two battle stars, U.N. Service Medal, and The Korean Service Medal. After his discharge from service, he returned to his work at Factories H and AJ of the International Silver Company prior to founding Fuda & Tiezzi, Inc., a local paving and excavating company, with his long-time friend and baseball teammate, the late Joseph Fuda Sr., He had still been very active with the company until it was dissolved in 2006.
He was the past President and life member of the Unison Club and served for many years as the chairman of the club's annual basketball banquet which honored the three local high schools. An avid New York Yankee fan, he also ran the annual bus trips to Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park for the club. He was also co-chairman of the club's Christopher Columbus statue committee.
His other affiliations include past President of the Mount Carmel Holy Name Society, life member of the Knights of Columbus, Silver City Council #2, the North Italian Home Club, the V.F.W. Post#10097 of Fort Myers Beach, FL, the Meriden Hall of Fame Association, and the co-founder and former President of the Italian-American Democrats of Meriden. He was a local aide to Robert N. Giaimo, 3rd district Congressman of North Haven, former Democratic assistant registrar of voters, delegate to a number of Democratic district and state conventions, and he was a member of the City of Meriden Builder Licensing Board. Corporate and 18-year board member of the Meriden Boys & Girls Club, he was the recipient of the John D. Altobello Award for his service to the club. Ben was a charter member of the Meriden Boys & Girls Club Alumni Association, where he was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1995. Ben was also an avid tennis player and was a member of clubs in both Florida and Connecticut.
"Retiring" in 2006, Ben and Lydia were able to spend many months in Fort Myers Beach, FL enjoying the company of many dear friends, which included poolside Friday evening get togethers as they viewed enchanting sunsets, dining in local area restaurants, taking in a show at a local theatre, taking a walk on the beach, or a dip in the Gulf. He was a member of the Strandview Towers Condo Association Board, most recently serving as President. He enjoyed being hands on in the many landscaping and maintenance projects and "supervising" the goings on in his condo community.
Ben enjoyed his family, especially the company of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who always brought a smile to his face.
He is survived by his four children, Jeanne (Tiezzi) Petit of East Berlin, Donna (Tiezzi) Mowel and her husband Charles of Middletown, Michael Tiezzi and his companion Teri Winkel of Cheshire, and Daniel Tiezzi and his wife Anna of Higganum; nine grandchildren, Kristen Mowel Pelletier and husband Kevin, Jamie Mowel Letizio and husband Anthony (TJ), Kylee Mowel, Jonathan Mowel and wife Megan, Zachary Tiezzi, Benjamin Tiezzi, Tarah Tiezzi, Taylor Tiezzi, and Nicole Tiezzi; and his seven great-grandchildren, Ashlynn, Emma, and Warren Pelletier, Sebastian and Charlie Letizio, and Jackson and Bennett Mowel. He was the beloved Zio to Thomas and Alan Tiezzi. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends, including a good friend, Carolyn Dawson.
Besides his wife and parents, Ben was predeceased by his brother Angelo (Jim) Tiezzi, and his dear son-in-law, Normand J. Petit.
His family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, July 30th from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the John J. Ferry and Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, Mt. Carmel Campus. Burial of both Lydia and Ben will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ben's name can be made to the Meriden Boys & Girls Club, 15 Lincoln St., Meriden, CT 06451. For online condolences, please visit www.jferryfh.com.