Obituary of Benjamin J. Stefano

Stefano, Benjamin J. Irondequoit: Born 12/21/1947 in Utica, NY. Predeceased by mother Mary, father Ray, brother Glenn. Survived by his wife and the great love of his life Cheri Wilkinson; sons, Benjamin (Amanda), Stephen (Vernice); grandsons, Kessel and Yavin; brother, Raymond (Linda); sisters, Maria (Glenn) and Claudia Gina. Ben's life was about love. He loved his life despite its challenges and he loved the people in it, especially his family. In turn he was loved, even to the end of his journey. Other great loves: golf (how about that five wood off the tee?), good Scotch, dancing, Chuck Taylor low tops (off-white only, please), fast cars, cigars, his many pipes, all things Motown, playing and watching football and every conceivable form of food. Despite his prolonged illness with Parkinson's disease, Ben lived a full life until he died. He savored every moment of time with his family, especially his beloved grandsons Kessel and Yavin and sons Ben and Steve. He was intensely proud of the men his sons became and relished memories of their earlier years, riding together in his Porsche listening to the Bee Gees, days on Bethany Beach, traveling the world to visit them, Sunday dinners and seemingly endless hours watching poorly acted and produced martial arts movies. The quality of Ben's final years was greatly enhanced by the care he received from Team Ben, most notably Tammy Reaves and Denise Kidd. A memorial service and celebration of Ben's life will be held Sunday, January 15, 2012, 2:00 p.m. at Pier 45 Restaurant, 1000 N. River Street, Rochester NY 14612. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, PO Box 780, New York NY 10008-0780, www.michaeljfox.org. To share a memory or send the family a condolence, please visit www.harrisfuneralhome.com.