SALEM - James A. Benedetto, Sr, 68, of Salem, formerly of Lynn, died Saturday morning, January 16, 2010, after a lengthy illness surrounded by his children.
Born in Lynn, he was the son of the late Antonio and Irma (Mudge) DiBenedetto. He was a graduate of Lynn English High School in the class of 1959.
After a career in retail sales and management, James spent his retirement years traveling, enjoying the arts, and spending time with his 8 grandchildren. A resident of Lynn for most of his life, Mr. Benedetto volunteered for Lynn Economic Opportunity and the East Lynn Little League. His hobbies included hiking, fishing, reading, politics, gardening, cooking and sports.
He is survived by his three children and their families: James A. Jr. & his wife Marie Benedetto, and sons, Thomas, Shay, Maxwell, and Samuel of Queensbury, NY, Teresa & her husband James Hill and daughters Shelby and Veronica of Nahant, Dawna & her husband Michael Bucco and daughter Isabella and son Dante of Salem, his sister and her husband Gloria and Hal Tuchman of Las Vegas, NV, and his brothers Ralph Benedetto and his daughter, Lauren Benedetto of Leominster and Anthony Benedetto of Cambridge. He also leaves his former wife Rose Benedetto of Salem and a close friend, Margaret O. Murphy of Lynn.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2010 from 4 to 6 pm at the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Funeral services are private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory on line to ClintonBushHaitiFund.org or to Haiti Relief and Development, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, 139 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02142-1530. For online guest book visit www.SalemFuneral.com.