Benedetto "Benny" Civitello

Benedetto “Benny” Civitello, 87, of Annville, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon. He was a beloved father, grandfather, friend and husband. Born in Newark, Delaware on July 20, 1930, he was the son of the late Antonio and Maria (DeBrano) Civitello. Benny got his start as a jockey at the age of 16 in Mexico City. During the early days of his career, he raced the east coast circuit from Monmouth Park, NJ, to Laurel, MD, to Hileah, FL, as well as other parks along the way. He was an accomplished rider and was the “jock, of all jocks”, well-liked by his fellow riders. After turning in his riding saddle, he went right to work as a valet supporting other jockeys, and developed a craft for saddle and boot repairs. Forty years ago he picked Penn National Race Park, Grantville, as his home. Throughout his career, Benny made many friends, but one friendship always stood out, that of his long time and good friend Arnie Iliescu. Benny would reminisce about the good old days with Arnie often. Benny retired as a valet from Penn National over twenty years ago. While at Penn National, Benny met his former wife Fonda Leech. With their passion for horses, it was inevitable they would share many loving years together. In their free time, Benny and Fonda enjoyed their past time pleasures of motorcycling, jet skiing, boating and vacationing in Virginia. Benny was blessed having wonderful and extraordinary friends, his neighbors, Ron Reber and his family, and the late Howard Cassel, his wife Evelyn and their family. In his later years, it became difficult for Benny to do certain tasks, and without hesitation, Ron, Howard and his sons would offer a helping hand for which Benny was forever indebted. For Benny, his family brought him so much joy. Over the years, Benny would make trips to Delaware to see his nieces Diane and Michelle, but he spent most of his time traveling to the Jersey Shore visiting with his daughter Robin and her family when they were not visiting him in Annville. Benny and his daughter had a special relationship that grew over the years; a daughter that always looked out for his best interests. The two of them enjoyed cooking, preparing holiday meals, traveling and shopping. Benny shared a very special relationship with his only grandchild, Michele. She adored him and he adored her. Over the years, the two of them shared in many activities from dying Easter eggs, to cooking to going out to dinner. They laughed often and Benny’s youthful spirit shined when with Michele. Benny also had a wonderful relationship with his son in-law Mike. The two of them shared in many conversations over the years, and helped one another with home projects and gardening. Many hours were spent at Starbucks and on Benny’s deck relaxing. While a short man in statue, he had a big heart and was never without a smile. Active his entire life and loved by all, he made friends wherever he went. His travels to New Jersey resurrected old friendships with his former sister in-law Jean Cioffi and her husband Skip, and established new ones with the late Charlotte and Ken Bergmann, Liz and Tom Mahon, and Janice and Russell Carter. Benny had many hobbies, including cooking, gardening, woodworking, fixing things, but most of all relaxing on his back deck watching the birds he fed and the deer. Benny is survived by his former wife, Fonda (Leech) Civitello, Harrisburg, PA, daughter and son in-law Robin and Michael Puopolo and granddaughter, Michele Puopolo, all of Brick, NJ, nieces Diane Wilson and her husband Kenny, of Havasu, AZ, and Mary Michelle Collas, Townsend, DE. He was preceded in death by his dear and beloved brother, Michael Rocco and beloved son, Louis Civitello. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at Kreamer Funeral Home, 618 E. Main Street, Annville. Viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Immediately following the service, interment will be at Grand View Memorial Park, Annville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Benny’s favorite charities, St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriner's, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.

Benedetto "Benny" Civitello

July 20, 1930 - October 18, 2017