Obituary for Mr. Benjamin A. Di Iorio Jr. LAS VEGAS – The Word says that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). On Tuesday, my father went to be with the Lord. His suffering is over.
He will be greatly missed, and his family was blessed to have been with him for so long. Ben Di Iorio passed away on October 9, 2018 in the comfort of his home with his loving family by his side. He was 87 years old.
Born in Utica on July 10, 1931, he was the son of the late Dr. Benjamin A., Sr. and Jane (Olito) Di Iorio. He was a stellar athlete at Proctor High School who lettered in six sports including football, baseball, basketball, track, swimming, and won a state championship in handball. After high school Ben had a full ride scholarship to Syracuse University to play football as a tailback for the legendary Coach Ben Swartzwalder, but after spring ball of his Freshman year he transferred to Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
There, his track team was undefeated during his four years and later the entire track and field team was inducted into the Wesleyan University Sports Hall of Fame. On November 2, 1957, he married Elaine Mallas and from that union came the blessing of five children. Ben was best known for his talents as a skeet shooter.
Starting at age fourteen, he was a 10-time “All American” during the thirteen years he shot professionally. He retired from competing full time in 1958. In 1972 he was inducted into the Skeet and Trap Shooting Hall of Fame.
In the mid 60s he opened the Golden Valley Gun Club in California. He was the owner and an instructor to many of the stars of his era, which included one of his best friends, Robert Stack, as well as Bing Crosby, William Shatner, Gene Barry, Blake Edwards, and many more. After the club was sold, he turned to his two favorite things: golf and Hawaii.
He started Pacific Aloha Tours and for over forty years he chased his dream. Ben is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Benjamin A. Di Iorio III and his son Benjamin IV; Gregory and Terry Di Iorio, and the cherished memory of their son Calvin Anthony who went to be with Jesus; Bradford and Kelly Di Iorio, and their children Perry and Cassandra; as well as his daughters and sons-in-law Tessa and Martin Ambrose, and their sons Gregory, Andrew, and Loren, and his youngest daughter Jamie and her husband Robert Stanton. He also leaves behind his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins, especially acknowledging Donna and Edwin Monroe, Rocco and Joan Olito, Jerry and Kathy O’Lite, Angela and Lorraine Surace; and his “Hawaii buddies” and best friends, Danny and Deanna Pacquette.
He was predeceased by his sister, Barbara “Babs” Di Iorio. Visitation will be held Saturday from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., on the corner of Hammond Ave. Ben’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm at the funeral home immediately upon conclusion of visitation with Pastor Mike Servello Sr. officiating the ceremony.
Committal prayers and Entombment will be held on Monday at 9:30 am at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. Benjamin A. Di Iorio Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Calvary Mausoleum 2407 Oneida Street Utica, Ny, , Previous Events Visitation , OCT 20.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eannace Funeral Home, Inc. 932 South Street Utica, NY, US Funeral Service , OCT 20.
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