Bandini, Benito “Ben” November 1, 1932 - August 16, 2021

Benito “Ben” Bandini passed away during the morning of Monday, August 16, 2021after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born on November 1, 1932 to Italian-immigrant parents Eugene and Ada Bandini (née Zaccagnini), Benito spent most of his childhood living in The Bronx, N.Y., where he grew up across the street from the love of his life, Mary Jean Bandini (née Bruno). In 1950, Ben graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in The Bronx.

Ben attended City University of New York’s City College in its Reserve Officers Training Corps program for about a year before enlisting in the United States Army. After his service in the Army stationed in Louisville KY and Indiantown Gap PA, Ben returned to The Bronx, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Fordham University and married Mary Jean on November 23, 1957. Ben and Mary Jean had been married for nearly 64 years.

Upon receiving a position as an Executive at Equitable Life Insurance Company (now Cigna), where he worked for over thirty years, Ben and Mary Jean moved to Yonkers, N.Y. to raise their family. An avid Major League Baseball fan, Ben spent many of his weekends returning to his home borough of The Bronx to watch the New York Yankees play. Ben also loved to travel, visiting a number of U.S. states and countries—including his parents’ home country of Italy—during his lifetime. Additionally, Ben was on the board of the Carlton Terrace co-op in Lawrence Park and remained an active member of Fordham University’s Alumni Association.

Ben is survived by his wife, Mary Jean Bandini; his sister Amelia Padula (née Bandini) and brother-in-law Emilio “Mid” Padula; his three sons, Christopher, Gerry, and Mark, daughters-in-laws Kim and Foula and his three grandchildren, Andrew, Brittany, and Evan.

Calling Hours at the Fred H. McGrath & Son Funeral Home, Bronxville between the hours of 5 to 8 pm, Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, Bronxville on Friday August 20 at 10:45am.

At the request of Ben’s Family, in lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society in Ben’s honor.