Obituary: Benjamin M. DeAngelis, 91, of Waterbury

Benjamin Manfredo DeAngelis, 91, of Waterbury, died Friday, January 6, 2012, at The Village at East Farms in Waterbury.

He was the beloved husband of Angeline (Spino) DeAngelis, with whom he celebrated a 63rd wedding anniversary in October.

DeAngelis was born on October 28, 1920, in Sassinoro, Benevento, Italy, the son of the late Americo and Modestina (Massarelli) DeAngelis.

In 1928, DeAngelis traveled to America with his mother and his youngest sister, Mary, to join his father, who was employed as a cabinetmaker at Scigliano Lumber.

Though he spoke no English when he arrived, DeAngelis was an excellent student and soon distinguished himself academically. He graduated from Slocum Grammar School at the head of his class in 1935 and from Crosby High School in 1939, where he was also editor of the school newspaper, The Argus.

In the fall of 1939, DeAngelis matriculated at New York University, where he served as Cadet Captain of the ROTC and graduated with a B.S. in accounting in 1943.

At NYU, he was awarded the Sherborne Vernon Damerel Memorial Prize for scholarship and interest in the welfare of his class. After graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines during World War II. He was promoted to First Lieutenant during the war and continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 1953.

After the war, DeAngelis began a long and distinguished career as an accountant, businessman and teacher. In 1945, he went to work for the accounting firm of Haskins and Sells in New York.

He returned to Waterbury in 1947 to take up a teaching position at Post Junior College, where he taught accounting and business courses. From 1967 to 1971, he served as the chairman of the Business division at Post and joined the Post College Board of Trustees in 1980.

When the Post College Foundation was formed, DeAngelis served as the chairman of the Investment Committee and eventually became president of the Foundation.

Post honored his service by dedicating the Benjamin DeAngelis Conference Room in 1990. In 1947, concurrent with his duties at Post, DeAngelis started an accounting office with Dr. L. Amidon.

Two years later, Benjamin and Guy Nardelli bought out Dr. Amidon and founded the firm that eventually was known as DeAngelis, Lombardi, & Kelly, L.L.C.

DeAngelis loved his work and was an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of CPAs, serving as president of the Waterbury chapter. In 1990, he received a Public Service Award from the AICPA in recognition of his dedication.

In addition to his professional distinctions, DeAngelis was an energetic participant in numerous civic organizations. He was proud to have been president of the Waterbury Chapter of UNICO National, having served on the Board of Directors for years.

In October of 1990, UNICO honored DeAngelis's service by making him Waterbury's Mayor for the Day. He was past president of the Mt. Carmel Home School Administration, former Treasurer of the Republican Town Committee, former commissioner of the Waterbury Parking Authority, former Treasurer and President of the University Club of Waterbury and Treasurer of the Greater Waterbury Columbus Quincentennial Committee.

Late in life, DeAngelis discovered a passion for musical theater. During the 1990s, he appeared in several productions at the Thomaston Opera House, including "The Mikado," "Passion," "My Fair Lady," "H.M.S. Pinafore" and "1776."

In addition to his dear wife, Ange, DeAngelis leaves three children and their spouses; David and Teresa (Mollica) DeAngelis of Gardnerville, Nev.; Deborah (DeAngelis) and James Melita of Chandler, Ariz.; and Mark DeAngelis and Meg Galante-DeAngelis of Willimantic.

He also leaves eight grandchildren and four adored great-grandchildren: Mary Ellen (DeAngelis) and David Kawchak of Carson City, Nev., and their children, Jadyn, Trishtan, and Liam; Christopher DeAngelis and Mariclare Lawson of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Elizabeth DeAngelis and David DiLego of Essex Junction, Vt.; Caitlin (DeAngelis) and Peter Hopkins of Cambridge, Mass. and their daughter, Amalia; Benjamin DeAngelis of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Graham, Wheeler and Bridhid DeAngelis of Willimantic.

He will be mourned by his surviving siblings and their spouses: Mary (DeAngelis) and Armand Vagnini of Middlebury; Armand DeAngelis of Waterbury; Rudolph and Ellen DeAngelis of Niantic and Florida, and by all of his many nieces and nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and by his sister-in-law, Josephine (Spino) Cucciniello, and her family.

DeAngelis was predeceased by his brother, Americo.

Calling Hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home

Arrangements: 9:30 a.m. military funeral on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Chase Parkway Memorial.

Mass: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.

Burial: Following the mass. Location: Calvary Cemetery.

Donations: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 785 Highland Avenue Waterbury, CT 06708.