Benito Andrea Brighenti, 97, of Rocky Hill, beloved husband for 67 years of the late Nina (Boniauto) Brighenti, passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Born in Castelletto di Brenzone, Italy on March 16, 1923, he was the son of the late Giuseppe M. and Elisa (Pilati) Brighenti. Benito immigrated to the United States in 1932 at the age of 9. He served proudly in the U.S. Army during WWII attaining the rank of Technician Fourth Grade in the 3052nd Quartermaster Salvage Collection Company and was honorably discharged in 1945. He worked as a precision machinist for Colt’s Industries retiring after 37 years in 1988. Benny, as he liked to be called, was a gentle giant whose deep appreciation of nature stemmed from his childhood in Italy where his front yard was the beautiful Lago di Garda and his backyard was the equally enchanting Monte Baldo. He enjoyed horseback riding, camping, hiking his forest land in the Berkshires, his backyard orchard of fruit trees, vegetable gardening and his greenhouse of tropical plants. Benny was always anxious to share his bounty of fruit, vegetables and plants with whomever he met and when giving tours of his greenhouse he would never fail to point out the Anthurium hybrid that he created and named for the woman he adored.
Benito will be forever missed by his loving son, Dennis Brighenti of Rocky Hill, with whom he made his home. He is also survived by cousins in Italy and several American nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Mary Brighenti Sciarra and his brother Anthony Amerigo Brighenti.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no calling hours or church service. Burial, with military honors, will be held on Friday, February 26, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Rose Hill Memorial Park, 580 Elm Street, Rocky Hill. (Masks and social distancing will be required.) A celebration of Benito’s life will be held at a later date. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel of Wethersfield has been entrusted by the family with the arrangements. To share a memory of Benito with his family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.
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