Joseph C. Bennica, 93, of Northford, passed away Friday, December 28, 2012 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was the husband of the late Mary Calabrese Bennica. Joseph was born in Ansonia on July 14, 1919; son of the late Caloggio and Maria Patti Bennica; he served his country faithfully in the U.S. Army during World War II; he was inducted in 1941, assigned to the 340th General Hospital, and then the 906th Ordinance Heavy Automotive Maintenance Co. Honorabley discharged in 1945 he received the American Defenses Service Medal, the American Service Medal, the European-African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct and World War II Victory Medals. He reenlisted into the USAR in 1950 earning the rank of Sergeant First Class E-7; was awarded the Army Medal of Commendation for Meritorious Service for service and received a special recognition award for his “Outstanding Service and Dedicated Leadershipâ€. Honorably discharged from the active duty USAR in May 1976, he immediately reenlisted into the US Army Reserves where he continued to serve honorably and later retired at age 60 on July 13, 1979; He was awarded numorous additional military awards of recognition and also a medal of commendation for his many years of meritorious service. Joseph had worked for the former General Truck Distribution and later for the U.S. Government as an area facility engineer; had been a dutiful member of the V.F.W. Pst 8294 where he also served several years as Post Chaplain; he provided assistance and support to the Young Marines; he was a member of the North Branford Senior Center and the Jolly Timers. Father of Lisa Evarts and her husband E.T. Evarts, Bryan C. Bennica and his wife Katrina. Grandfather of Brenda (Andrew) Gray, Michael Glynn, Bryan C. Bennica, Jr., Ellsworth Treat Evarts IV and Brandon Bennica. Predeceased by brothers Salvatore and Ernest Bennica, and a sister Esther Hecker.
Funeral services will be conducted in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Friday morning at 11:00. Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Thursday from 6 to 8 pm.
ET, Lisa & Family, it was so sad to hear of Joes passing. I enjoyed picking him up to go down to the Senior Center. He was loved by all there.
It was a pleasure having Joe at our Senior Center. He always had a smile on his face. He will be missed. God Bless.
We are unable to attend the services, due to sickness, but we are so sorry to hear of Joe’s death. Larry served with Joe in the USAR for many years. He was a good man. Our prayers and sympathy to all the family. God Bless him.
I have known Joe for over 55 years. We were in the same USAR unit for over 10 years we also worked together in in the AMSA shop# 69. Joe always had a smile on his face and you could always depend on him he will be sorely missed.