Benny Christolini passed away peacefully on February 23, 2023, surrounded by his family at the age of 93 after a sudden and brief illness. Benny was born in Bristol on May 12, 1929, to the late Louis and Clorinda (Scaramuzza) Christolini and attended Bristol Public Schools, graduating from Bristol High School in 1947.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Shirley (Parlow) Christolini, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage. He retired from the S. Carpenter Construction Company in 1991 after over 30 years of employment.
He took great pride in his family and is survived by his son Ben and his wife Teresa (Byington), daughter Karen and her husband Matt Hintz, and son John and his wife Kate (Sullivan). He was predeceased by his daughter Linda and her husband Dr. Robert Chamberlain.
Benny was blessed with ten grandchildren: Dr. Amy Chamberlain Scribner and husband Nate, Nicolas Chamberlain, Kathryn Chamberlain Moore and husband Jake, Sarah Christolini and husband Sam L’Ecuyer, Jill Christolini, Douglas Christolini, Dr. Molly Hintz and husband Brian Urbach, Ben Hintz, Emma Christolini, and Julia Christolini.
He was also fortunate to enjoy eight great-grandchildren: Jack and Ella Scribner, Quinn, Ryan, Henry and Norah Grace Moore, and Marie Rose and Cecelia Christolini.
Benny was a proud U.S. Army Veteran who served bravely under challenging circumstances in Korea during the Korean War. He loved a good trip to Mohegan Sun Casino with his family, and was fiercely independent, shoveling his own snow and mowing his lush, green lawn until his death.
The family would like to thank Michelle Berry and the hospice staff at Bristol Hospital for their compassionate care.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 5PM until 7PM at O’Brien Funeral Home, 24 Lincoln Ave., Bristol. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 10AM directly at St. Francis de Sales Church, 111 School Street, Bristol. Burial and military honors will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol.
Memorial donations may be made to Bristol Veterans Strong Community Center Inc., https://www.vetstronginc.org/donate.
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