Benny Persichetti

Benny was born on November 3rd, 1941 to Angelica "Fanny" (née Long) and Frank Persichetti Sr. in Suffern, NY. After graduating from Suffern High School in 1959 he served in the Army and started in the IBEW apprenticeship program where he would ultimately become a Master Electrician. For several years Benny was also a police officer for the Village of Sloatsburg and served as a Special Deputy for the Rockland County Sheriff's Department. Benny retired from the IBEW Local Union #363 in 1998 and held his Electrical License until 2020.

Benny met and married Kathleen "Kathy" (née Murphy) in 1964. They would go on to have three children, Marie, Gina and Benny Jr. Their home was always lovingly filled with family, friends and family pets.

Benny was predeceased by his wife Kathy, parents Fanny and Frank, brother Freddie (wife Agnes), brother Benny, sister Mary (brother-in-law Jim Cruse), sister Rose Wagenhoffer and beloved family members including nieces and nephews who left the family too soon. Benny is survived by his daughter Marie, daughter Gina (son-in-law John Degraw), son Benny (daughter-in-law Michelle), granddaughter, Mikaila Kathleen Degraw, grandson, Nicholas Bennetto Degraw, brother Frank Jr. (sister-in-law Juliann "Pudgie"), brother-in-law Robert "Bob" Wagenhoffer and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews. Benny was a force of nature, determined to protect, care and provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. Benny's family meant more to him than anything else in the world and because this was just his way, while he may not have told his children, grandchildren, or his many cousins, nieces, nephews (no matter how many times removed) how proud he was of them he would tell anyone else who would listen of their accolades, accomplishments, and his love for them all.

Benny was a member of the Sons of Italy HH Rogers Cabrini Lodge, the Fraternal Order of Freemasons, The Ramapo Valley Rotary and The Village of Sloatsburg Planning Board. He served as a volunteer Fireman for the Village of Sloatsburg, a lay person for the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate in Sloatsburg and a lifelong supporter of Suffern Mountie Sports where Benny played Football on the field at what was the Senior High School in 1959 and later would watch his son Benny Jr. play Football and Granddaughter Mikaila play Lacrosse for the Mounties and Grandson Nicholas play Midget Mountie Football on the same field. With a special love for The Suffern Mat Club, he and his wife Kathy launched the George Fuge Wrestling Tournament in support of youth wrestling program. From childhood Benny enjoyed and loved all animals. Of these loves perhaps none was more special than his love of horses which began with his own pony in childhood. Before college was on the horizon for his children, Benny owned and raced Harness horses up and down the East Coast where he made lifelong friends and enjoyed lifetime memories with family and friends

Benny was a passionate sports fan and could often be found at Yankee Stadium, a NASCAR race or watching either sport and many others with family and friends.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation Donate in Memoriam. Visitation will be held Friday, January 13th at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, Suffern, NY from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 14th at St. Joan of Arc R.C. Church, Eagle Valley Road, Sloatsburg, NY at 10:30am with internment to follow at St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Eagle Valley Road, Tuxedo, NY.