I'm just learning of Ben's passing. He and I went through hairdressing school together. This is such sad news. My sincere condolences to the family.

Ben, I have thought of you each day since I received the shocking call and reflected on what I would say to you again if given the opportunity.  I would say, "Thank you".
* Thank you, Ben, for cheering me on as I entered the Jennings portable classrooms that March as interim principal.  You were part of an amazing staff during those four months.
* Thank you, Ben, for creating a new environment at the former Nathan Hale with the hardest working adults ever.
* Thank you, Ben, for switching so many rooms that second year.
* Thank you, Ben, for all your efforts at the portable Nathan Hale creating classrooms that were conducive to teaching and learning.
* Thank you, Ben, for your extra work on Cedar Grove Avenue and your innovative ideas inside the school.  You made our building pristine no matter where we were located.
* Thank you, Ben, for those summer days at Harbor with Laura, Jojo, and Tim designing a new setting once again.  We laughed a lot
that summer and deepened our admiration and respect for each other as sweat literally poured down our faces.
* Thank you, Ben, for the rides home and to the bank on snowy days.
* Thank you, Ben, for saving my residence from flooding.  We began a school year in a different building again that was not ready to open, and everything that could possibly go wrong did.
* Thank you, Ben for our daily morning meetings.
* Thank you, Ben, for being a great team with Carla.
* Thank you, Ben, for the countless hours you worked before and after school.
* Thank you, Ben, for catching me up on the "Nathan Hale" when we encountered each other in the community.
* Thank you, Ben, for the love and support for over six years. I know you always had my back.
* Thank you, Ben, for making me smile driving off on your motorcycle on a sunny day.
You will always have a special place in my heart. 


Ben Jr, Dylan and the Piacenza family…..
Ben was a very good and close friend to me. We enjoyed helping each other out with all projects that came our way and really enjoyed a beer, Fireball and/orJager  nip every now and then to make things run a bit smoother. Sometimes both.
He left us way too early, because we had talked about planning many things to do once we got to the social security phase of our lives. And we never finished our plans.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
He will be sadly missed by all.
Ron Chalecki and family

Sympathy to the Piacenza family for your  loss of Ben. Very sad to hear the news. Peace be with you  all.

I was so saddened to hear this news. Ben was the ultimate friend, Dad, and Grandfather. We had many fond memories together over what would be a short two decades...camping ...ATV's...bonfires and helping each other out. It is said that the Lord takes the young as the need for dedicated Angels grows......God in heaven has one of the best. My sympathy to Ben and Dylan and all family members. May the Lord strengthen these days that are depressing and lighten the darkness with all the fond memories! May the Lord welcome you Ben...you will truly be missed!

Ben was a dear friend and one of the hardest working men I ever knew.  We met in our high-school years.  He started cutting my hair for a 6-pack of beer  in the Norwich 10-Pin parking lot.  He cut my hair ever since.  We enjoyed catching up, talking mostly about our kids and more recently our grandchildren.  I will miss him very much as I'm sure that all the knew him will.  My condolences to Ben, Dylan and the rest of the Piacenza family.

My name is David R. Russ and I met Ben in September of 2017.   I worked  right by his side while employed by New London Public Schools for 4 years. 

I looked up to Ben as he was an incredible hard worker with so many talents including but not limited to, being a master carpenter, highly skilled mechanic, master  barber, and likewise truly skilled at everything he put his mind to.  

Through stories he told me, I know he was an amazing father of two successful boys, a father anyone would want to have growing up, and an amazing grandfather too.

I was very saddened to hear about his passing, and I will continue to uphold his legacy through the many stories he told.

Ben was a great man who pushed forward even in the hardest of times.

Let us thank Ben for all he has accomplished and pray to the Lord to keep him well in heaven. 

God bless you Ben, you are in my spirit!





Man, this is unreal to me, you were definitely was and still are my friend, my dude, my mentor, we were ONE HELL OF A TEAM!!! I always knew I could depend on you from work, to my personal life, we could fix anything man! It’s hard to believe I just spoke to you 2 days before you left us. This is a tough one man, gonna miss seeing you everyday coming down to the beach for lunch,/ checking on me lol,  shooting the stuff, we always had a good time, work, hanging out, whatever it was we were and ALWAYS WILL BE COOL!!! REST IN PEACE PIMP!! We’ll meet again🙏🏽🙏🏽

Ben was the quintessential big, gruff guy on the outside but a teddy bear at heart. One of the hardest-working people I've ever met, Ben believed in doing every job well, big or small, and made sure they were done right the first time. He and I quickly discovered we shared the same sarcastic sense of humor and found reasons to joke with each other every day. We eventually figured out that we graduated the same year from rival high schools and shared many friends in common. Reminiscing about "the good ol' days" became one more thing to smile and laugh about. But the day he let me take his beloved floor buffer (affectionately dubbed "The Mr. Ben Mobile" by students) for a spin provided our most significant laugh-out-loud moment. He smirked at my question about how much pick-up it has, and for a good reason. Needless to say, my taking off like a rocket left us both in stitches. Losing Ben has left a void in our Nathan Hale community that won't be filled--a fact I don't think he would have imagined in a million years. But we'll honor his memory in the most fitting ways: working hard and making one another laugh even harder. Miss you already, sweet Ben. 

I am so very sorry for your loss. Benji was a high school friend. I remember him to be a sweet, handsome guy. A life taken too soon. God must need more Angels in Heaven. Rest in peace my friend.  

We started in 7 th grade together.  Graduted todether.  I always looked up to Ben.   Kind of a guidance.   He will be missed.   RIP.  

Oh Ben,  I was saddened to hear about this today, when my son, your  old friend Del, told me, You have been on my mind a lot over the latter months..really on my mind as I hadnt seen you in so long. I wasnt sure if you were still in Bozrah or not.. now I know why you were on my mind and I feel so bad I didnt follow thtough and get up to see you, Ive known you for many years way back in sports when you and Del competed. My thoughts and prayers are with your children, grandchildren and your family. You were a great guy in so  many ways, Rest in peace..love you  Ben. Your great personality and abilities  will be missed.Love to your family.

He didn’t know the impact he had
On a family called NHAMS
His sarcastic jokes and heart of gold
Won him many fans.
Rough on the outside, soft within 
He was a big ol’ teddy bear with a big ol’ grin.
He took pride in his hard work
Making the school shine 
He rode on his beloved Zamboni all the time.
Adults and kids alike
Adored this man
He touched so many lives
Time and time again.
A family man it’s true
Loved his sons and grandchildren 
That’s all he knew. 
Gone too soon
But he would not want us to cry
Instead, he would want us to toast him
Raise our Fireball to the sky. 
Some will remember him as “Pookie”
Others, “Mr. Ben”, or simply “Ben”
This man left a legacy, to say the least
This one’s for you, Ben…
Rest In Peace.

The first day we met at work, you told me I’d fit right in— you were all about sarcasm and jokes. We never stopped joking ever since. I only knew you a couple years, but Ben you brightened up my days …I wish I hugged you a little tighter Thursday before you left. You will be truly missed “Pookie”. 💔

OBITUARY

Benjamin R. Piacenza

July 21, 1964 – May 26, 2022

Labenski Funeral Home

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