Past President of Somerville Firefighters Union Local # 76, Cosmo L. "Benny" DeFlumere, Retired Lieutenant, Somerville Fire Department, a longtime resident of both Charlestown and Somerville, entered into eternal life on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford. He was 87 years of age.
Benny was born in Boston on March 14, 1930, a son of the late Francis J. Chase and Rose M. (Ragucci) Chase. He grew up in Charlestown where he was educated in the Boston Public School system and graduated from Charlestown High School in 1948. Benny enlisted into the United States Navy on February 26, 1952 and served his country faithfully and with courage during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on October 16, 1953 with the rank of Sh. Sv. First Class. Benny joined the Somerville Fire Department in 1961 and was assigned to the Broadway fire station for many years. He retired in 1980 as a Lieutenant following 19 years of dedicated service to the City of Somerville. Benny was a member of the Somerville Firefighters Union Local # 76 and served as President of the union. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post # 529 of Somerville. Benny enjoyed traveling the world with his beloved wife and cherished all the moments they both spent with their beloved dogs.
Benny is the beloved husband of the late Barbara A. (Manning) DeFlumere who passed away in August of 2017. He is the devoted brother of Mary Ann Chase-Borden and her late husband Dennis of Charlestown, retired Boston Firefighter Alfred Chase and his wife Andrea of Reading, Robert Chase and his wife Cathy of Charlestown and the late John DeFlumere and his surviving wife Theresa and the late Emily Jones. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Benny's visiting hour on Thursday morning, February 8, 2018 from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren St. Charlestown at 11 A.M. His burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Benny's name to a charity of your choice.