Obituary of Bernard D LaVecchia

Bernard "Ben" D. LaVecchia August 20, 1927 – September 11, 2017 With heavy heart the family of Bernard D. LaVecchia announces his passing. He entered eternal life from his easy chair at home where he loved to sit and watch TV surrounded by his loving family on September 11, 2017. Born to Thomas J LaVecchia and Beatrice Petrucelli On August 20, 1927 in Monticello, NY, Ben was raised in Monticello and lived for most of his life in Woodbourne with a short stay in Zephyrhills, Florida and Hoffman, North Carolina. Ben joined the army in October, 1945 where he proudly served until May of 1947. He returned to Monticello and worked in various occupations finally working for Griff Petroleum for many years and later in the Maintenance Department at Woodbourne Correctional Facility. Ben was an active member of first the Woodbourne Fire Company and later the Loch Sheldrake Fire company. He held many offices during the years he served and was very proud to serve as Chief of the Loch Sheldrake Fire Company from 1984 to 1986. Ben was honored in April of 2017 for his 50 years of dedicated firematic service. He married the love of his life, Virginia E. Brown on April 13, 1952. Ben is survived by his Beloved wife, Ginny at home, his children Suellen Magnetico and Ralph LaVecchia, both of Loch Sheldrake, NY, four grandchildren Kevin(Jodi) Rogers and their children Alexa Rogers and Madison Mosier of Cochecton,; Heidi (Joshua) Crane and their children Cody and Landon of Auburn, NY.; Shane La Vecchia and Dillon LaVecchia of Woodbourne, New York. He is also survived by three sisters, nieces and nephews The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties for the wonderful care they gave to both Ben and the entire family. Special thanks to Adria Grey and Kathleen Graham. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations in Ben's name be made to either the Loch Sheldrake or Woodbourne Fire companies. Visitation will be held from 1 to 3pm on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 2:30pm officiated by Father John Lynch, followed by a Firematic service and full military honors. Arrangements under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information call 845-434-7363 or visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com