Montclair Obitutary: Monsignor Benjamin Piazza

Essex County resident Benjamin Piazza, known locally as “Father Ben,” passed away on Sept. 5.

As a clergyman, Piazza worked with congregations in Caldwell, Newark, Jersey City, Montclair, Wayne and Morristown.

He was 92-years-old.

The following obituary comes courtesy of Codey & Jones Funeral Home:

“Monsignor Benjamin A. Piazza, 92, of Caldwell, NJ, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at St. Catherine of Siena Health Care in Caldwell, NJ.

“Father Ben, as he was affectionately known, was born and raised in East Rutherford, NJ, along with five brothers and one sister, by his parents, Mario and Amelia Piazza.

“He attended public grammar schools in East Rutherford and St. Mary High School in Rutherford, staffed by the Caldwell Dominicans; graduated from Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ) and Immaculate Conception Seminary (Darlington, NJ).

“He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1949 at St. Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral by the Most Rev. Thomas J. Walsh. He served as a priest for years in several parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark; Our Lady of Sorrows, Jersey City from 1949-1969; Administrator and then Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Newark from 1969 to 1976; Served as Pastor of St Francis Xavier in Newark from 1976 to 1997 where he also ministered to Columbus Hospital, Newark; Elevated to the title of Domestic Prelate in October 1993; Retired in 1997 and began Residence in St Aloysius in Caldwell and as well as his service as Chaplain to the Sisters of St Dominic, Caldwell. During his retirement also served as Chaplain to Lacordarire Academy in Upper Montclair, NJ and part time at Siena Village in Wayne, NJ. Monsignor also assisted serving the Infirmed Religious Sisters Filippini in Morristown, NJ; also served as the Dean of North Newark for two terms from 1972-1978 and served Chaplain to the Federation of Italian American Societies beginning in 1976.

“He was predeceased by his brothers, Sam (Santo), Joseph (Giuseppe), Vito, Carmine (Carmelo) and Nicholas and a sister Mary (Maria Stella) Hough.

“Surviving are several nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews; as well as many grateful clergy and parishioners in the Archdiocese of Newark.

“In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Aloysius R.C. Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006, or to St. Catherine of Siena Health Care, 7 Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006, would be deeply appreciated.”

Watch a video slideshow tribute online here.