Benny Bagnato, 71, of Sugarcreek, Pennsylvania passed away on April 22, 2024.
He was a longtime resident of Sugar Valley Lodge.
He was born on March 11, 1953, at Oil City Hospital where his mother worked in the nursery.
Ben enjoyed her claim throughout his life that she had probably welcomed every one of his friends into the world.
His given name was Benedetto John, the same as his father and paternal grandfather.
Ben attended Seventh Street School and St. Stephen School, where he was an altar boy.
He was a 1971 graduate of what was then Venango Christian High School.
During his time there, he excelled at social studies and business.
That led him to the Ivy League, where he graduated from the prestigious Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1975.
There, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity.
He was appointed to lead inventory control for the complex transfer of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to a new facility.
After graduation, Ben worked for two national accounting firms.
It was during this time that he was diagnosed with a mental disorder that would shape the remainder of his life.
Ben had a brilliant mind and an active curiosity.
He was fascinated by the relationship between languages and studied many of them, especially Suomi (spoken in Finland) and various Cyrillic languages.
He also developed a strong interest in the early history of the Oil Region, spending hours and hours pouring over early editions of The Derrick and other publications.
A fan of the Pirates, Ben himself excelled when he played baseball with the Oil City Pony League All-Stars team that advanced to the Eastern U.S. finals. He also followed the Steelers.
Most of all, Ben was one the warmest, funniest, and kindest human beings you could ever meet.
He literally never said a bad word about anyone or complained about his circumstances.
He found the best in every situation.
Ben was preceded in death by his mother, Alberta, and his father.
Surviving him are Barry Bagnato and his wife Martha Mansfield of Sedona, Arizona; Scott Bagnato of New York City; and Bob and Sally Bagnato of Amelia Island, Florida; his niece Laura Bagnato and her husband Chris Cabrera live in Richmond, California.
Just days before his death, Ben was able to see pictures of his new great nephew, Oliver.
The family would like to send its sincere gratitude to the people at Sugar Valley Lodge who’ve cared for and appreciated Ben.
A showing and memorial will be held at Reinsel Funeral Home in Oil City on Friday, April 26 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Online condolences can be made by visiting www.reinselfuneralhome.com
