Mr. William Benedetto

Longtime Cabbagetown resident William “Bill” Benedetto passed away early Wednesday morning, March 21st, 2012. Born May 2nd, 1944 in Lake Wales, Florida, Bill spent the early part of his life in Upstate New York and attended King’s College before enlisting in the Air National Guard, where he trained as a radiological technician and medic. He worked as a medical research assistant at the University of Rochester before his Air National Guard unit was activated due to the Pueblo crisis in January, 1968. Bill remained stateside and served as a medic while stationed at Nellis AFB, Nevada. After his unit was deactivated, Bill returned to the University of Rochester where he obtained a B. S. in Biology. After graduation he continued with Strong Memorial, affiliated with the University of Rochester, in a research capacity.

Anxious to enhance his career and migrate south, Bill moved to Atlanta in 1975, continuing in microbiology research at Emory University and Georgia State University and in 1978 he became a Microbiologist at the CDC.

One of Bill’s passions was cooking and creating new flavors. On weekends, he began preparing desserts and pastries out of his kitchen in his free time for local restaurants and friends. He moved on to working at Capo's restaurant in Virginia Highland in the evenings, while still at the CDC. Bill used to joke that he worked to cure Legionnaire's Disease by day and created Fettuccine Alfredo by night.

Before long the food service demands became more than weekends and evenings and he resigned from the CDC to devote his energies to baking which soon became full-time. Bill dreamed of opening a bakery, and in 1982, Bill partnered with Wayne Wall to open the successful bakery/restaurant , The Baker's Café in Little Five Points. They were known for their red beans and rice and "Fine Creole and Cajun Cuisine" as well as Bill's baked goods, especially the custom cheese and carrot cakes. the Bakers Café was a mainstay of the restaurant scene in Little Five Points until its closure in 2003.

After being in Atlanta for nine years, Bill moved to Cabbagetown in 1984 and was a true urban pioneer, renovating houses on Berean and then Carroll street, where he witnessed and participated in the renaissance and re-gentrification of the former milltown community.

Bill struggled with epilepsy for about the last 25 years of his life and over that time stopped driving and then even riding his bike, opting for public transportation and rides with friends which provided a rich opportunity to get to know him better. He was regularly seen walking from Cabbagetown to Little Five Points or Downtown, or taking his dogs out for a walk. Bill was very at home in Cabbagetown and was proud to feel like an adopted son in a community that embraces ecletic and caring people.

Bill was preceded in death his parents William J. Benedetto and Betty J. Benedetto, both of Buffalo, New York. He is survived by brothers Bruce of Plainfield, Illinois and Blake, of Fairport, New York and their families.

A memorial service will be held from 3:30 to 6pm for Bill at the Cabbagetown Community Center located at 177 Estoria St SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 and coordinator contact is # is 678-520-6755. Visitation with Family and Friends will be from 3:30 to 4:30 and Eulogy and Remembrances will be from 4:30 to 6pm.

Flowers may be sent to the service via Peachtree Petals at 678-336-1195 or donations made in the name of William Benedetto to the Epilepsy Foundation at 1-800-332-1000. Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonspringhill.com.