Benito 'Benny' Benny DeLorenzo

Sydney

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather Benito Antonio DeLorenzo Sr. on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at Celtic Court Nursing Home in Sydney, NS.

Born in Whitney Pier on September 23, 1926, he was the son of the late Vincenzo and Assunta De Lorenzo. He was predeceased by his siblings: Joseph ‘Peppy’, Rudolph ‘Rudy’, Mary Duguid and Annette ‘Annie’ Laughlin.

After forty nine years of service, Benny retired from the Sydney Steele Plant as Superintendent, Plant Protection (Safety, Fire & Security) in 1989.

Not one to be idle Benny was continuously involved in giving back to his community. He was a founding member of the group of volunteers responsible for bringing the Whitney Pier Community Arena from concept to construction. Through the years he served as Vice-President of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Operations Committee. And many would remember him as the face behind the canteen serving free hot beverages to the early morning parents and their future NHL hockey players. He was also a lifelong member of the Cape Breton Italian Association.

Benny was also a union activist and after attending the Canadian Labour Congress College in 1967 he received his certificate in Labour Relations and became actively involved within the Steel Workers Local Union 1064 prior to taking a position in management.

Benny loved sports. He was both an athlete and a volunteer. He began his boxing career at the Imperial Hall when he was 18 years of age. He went on to become Maritime Featherweight and Lightweight Champion. In 1987 he was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame. After his boxing career he opened the Whitney Pier Athletic Boxing Club where he trained young boxers, two of which competed in the 1971 Canada Games. He was an original member of the umpiring staff of the Sydney and District Little League, the oldest little league in Canada. He was also an avid boater and skilled water skier. He could always been seen skiing the lagoon at the East Bay Sandbar and in the late 1950's and early 1960's. He and Rose both received their Captain Certification and started a deep sea fishing Charter Boat Service out of Sydney Harbour. He had a deep love of animals especially his beagles many of whom he raised to be blue ribbon trophy winners. He was a lover of nature and during the winter months could be found snowmobiling many of the Cape Breton trails and in the summer months tending his gardens in Whitney Pier and at his summer cottage in Soldiers Cove.

He survived by his wife of 63 years Rose Sollazzo and their children Silvana (Kevin Cameron), Toni, Dina (Martin Siller), Benita, Benito (Gail Fernandes) and Marco; and his grandchildren, Jason Skinner, Leannah Robertson (Danny Huntley), Tara Beth Robertson (Barry Smith), Pascalina Gaillardetz (Jared Szabo), Assunta Gaillardetz (Husam Al-Salih), Benito (Gillian MacInnis), Carlo, Brittni, Shelby and Lauryn and his great grandchildren Zarek, Kale, Austin, Sofie Anne and Marley and his many nieces and nephews.

Despite all the pleasures that he derived from his many outside interests and activities his greatest love was for his family. His annual Christmas parties and regular Sunday family dinners where all were welcome were a testament to his unlimited generosity and great joy for life. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation for Mr. DeLorenzo will take place on Friday, December 9 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 am at Holy Redeemer Church with Rev. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Whitney Pier Boys & Girls Club, 49 West St. Sydney, NS B1N 1R6 or a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.twcurry.com