William G. Benedetti, 96

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — William Giacimo Benedetti, 96, of Portland, Maine, formerly of North Adams, Mass., died on March 25, 2018 in Portland, Maine. 

He was born in North Adams, Mass., on November 5, 1921, son of the late Lodovico and Mary (Graziola) Benedetti. He attended local schools, graduating from Drury High School in 1939. He went on to receive military training, with a specialization in aviation, at both Williams College and the University of Georgia as part of his naval training. 

He entered the US Navy in 1942 and served as a Naval Aviator. He was a dive bomber pilot and flew the SB2C Helldiver and SBD Dauntless aircraft. He was a member of Air Group 2 and served aboard the USS Shangri-La-CV38 as well other aircraft carriers. He was a decorated veteran of World War II receiving several awards, including the American Theatre, Victory, and Asiatic-Pacific Medals. 

Upon leaving the Navy in 1945, he became a flight instructor in Greenfield, Mass. His career in aviation continued as a corporate pilot for Sprague Electric Company in North Adams, Mass. He worked there for over 25 years, achieving the position of chief pilot for the organization. He was also the Accident Prevention Counselor for the FAA and served in various national aviation organizations.

Upon his retirement, he and his wife Laura moved to Franklin, N.C., where he spent the next 24 years enjoying working in his vegetable garden as well traveling throughout the country visiting his many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved his family and defined quality of life as spending time with them. He was very active in his local church. He taught Sunday school and was the church treasurer. He was loved and respected by many people who were blessed by his generosity and knowledge of the Christian faith.

On May 31, 1947, he married Lois Catherine (Paradise) Benedetti, who died on August 15, 1971. He is also the widower of Laura (Morgan) Lanoue Benedetti, who died on December 16, 2005. In 2009, he moved to Maine to be closer to his son Jeffrey, where he resided at the Woods at Canco until his passing.

Mr. Benedetti was very proud of the individuals he trained to fly throughout his career; many of whom went on to have successful careers in aviation. Most of them have stayed in contact with him over the years.  All of those you crossed paths with Bill, knew of his love and friendship for others. Having a witty personality, he always knew how to bring a smile to every person he met.

Survivors include his sons, Michael Benedetti and his wife, Darlene, of Tyler, Texas, Jeffrey Benedetti of Scarborough, Maine, and Keith Benedetti and his wife, Jennifer, of Plymouth, Mass.; stepchildren Beverly Lanoue of Rochester, N.Y., Ronald Lanoue of Rio Vista, Calif., Diane Law and her husband Jeffrey of West Springfield, Penn., and Theresa Langlois and her husband Joel of Henderson, N.C.; devoted grandchildren Lesley Benedetti Budz and her husband, Edward, of Temecula, Calif., Brad Thomas Benedetti and his wife, Ana, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Cory James Benedetti of Charlotte, N.C., Angela Anderson of Walker, La., Melissa Benedetti of Thornton, Colo., Jonathan Benedetti and his wife Kimberly of Jacksonville, Texas, David Benedetti of Portland, Ore., and Joanna Jamison and husband Bradley of Tyler, Texas; as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his loving sister Margaret Davenport of Westborough, Mass.

He was predeceased by his son William J. Benedetti; as well as his brother Dr. Ludwick Benedetti.

Funeral notice: A funeral service to celebrate the life of William G. Benedetti will take place on Friday, March 30, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 West Main St., North Adams, Mass. Burial with full military honors will follow in Southview Cemetery. 

Calling hours will take place Friday morning from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Donations in his memory can be made to Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.