Johnny Benny Ponzio, 88, passed away peacefully Friday, January 14, 2022 at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in College Station with his family by his side. Johnny was born December 19, 1933 in Bryan, the son of Ben and Mary Emola Ponzio.
Johnny had a love for the outdoors, mainly gardening, hunting, and fishing. He had a green thumb and loved growing cucuzza squash. However, his main hobby was woodworking. He is best known for creating unique crosses as gifts for various occasions and his trademark swings. He enjoyed helping his children raise livestock in 4-H. Upon his retirement, he would join friends for coffee, attend church on Sundays, pull his grandchildren on his tractor, and take trips to the casino with his family and friends.
He worked for International Furniture Company for 36 years, was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus #1834 and St. Anthony’s Golden Years and Men’s Clubs. He loved to volunteer, especially building booths at the St. Anthony’s Bazaar and stirring his pot of “suga” at the annual Spaghetti Dinner. He had a great sense of humor, a welcoming smile, and was a loyal son, brother, friend, husband, Paw Paw and a proud lifelong resident of “Ponzio Hill.”
Johnny is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Mary Ponzio; son Jeffrey Ponzio; brothers, Pat, Luke, Sam, Louis, and Joe Ponzio; brother-in-law, Mike Lampo; and sisters-in-law, Laura, Jessie Lee, Angie, and Charlotte Ponzio.He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Diana Ponzio; daughter and son-in-law Lanetta and Caleb Lutsch; sons and daughters-in-law, Jason and Kim Ponzio, and Christopher and Kayla Ponzio; grandchildren, Joshua, Joseph, and Jonathan Lutsch and Sloane and Rhett Ferrell; brother, Paul Ponzio; sister, Sally Lampo; sisters-in-law, Betty and Rosie Ponzio; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 22, 2022 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with Father Raj Selvaraj and Monsignor John Malinowski officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, January 21 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan with a Rosary service at 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
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