William John “Bill” Benamati, 47, of Curwensville and formerly of Barnesboro, passed away in the loving arms of his wife on July 29, 2016 at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Md.
He was born Oct. 12, 1968, a son of Jean M. (Tomallo) Benamati of Northern Cambria and the late David V. Benamati.
He married his high school sweetheart, Julie M. Kline, on May 26, 1990 at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, Nicktown.
He is survived by their three children, Alyssa Kate, Adam William and Ashton James, all of Curwensville.
He is also survived by a sister, Gina M. (Barry) Long of Penfield and a brother, Christopher R. Benamati of Northern Cambria; his mother- and father-in-law, John and Linda Kline of Nicktown; a brother-in-law, Matthew (Kathleen) Kline of Frostburg, Md.; three sisters-in-law, Kelly (Frank) Nicolini of Buford, Ga., Molly (Ritchie) Barlow of Hickory, NC and Lori (Johnathan) Rossio of Frederick, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by his dear friend and “honorary” father, James H. Pritchard of Altoona and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father on Nov. 24, 2007; his older brother, David R. Benamati on May 31, 2009; his paternal grandparents, Delmo B. and Mary A. Benamati; and maternal grandparents, John C. and Magdalena Tomallo.
He was Roman Catholic by faith, and had volunteered for several years as a religious education teacher at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Curwensville. He was also a first degree knight in the Knights of Columbus.
He was a 1986 graduate of Northern Cambria High School, a 1988 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and a 1989 graduate of The Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.
He began his career in funeral service as an intern at Spitler Funeral Home Inc. of Montoursville, Lycoming County.
He later joined Service Corporation International and served families for several years at the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home Inc. of Clearfield, where he was promoted to location manager of that funeral home and the Mohney –Yargar Funeral Chapel Inc. of DuBois.
Due to health complications, he retired from funeral service in 2013, but he continued to serve families on a casual basis at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Homes of Curwensville and Clearfield.
He was especially grateful to the Chidboy family for giving him the opportunity to continue being useful in funeral service despite his health challenges.
He was known for his professionalism, compassion and attention to details. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and the Clearfield-Jefferson Funeral Directors Association.
He was a former board member of the Clearfield County United Way.
He was a gifted artist, with a talent for oil and acrylic paintings. Most of his art is hanging in his home with blue ribbons won at the Clearfield County Fair.
He was also a talented and gifted baker, as he crafted wedding and special occasion cakes since age 14, which eventually helped pay his way through mortuary school. His last wedding cake was crafted on May 28, 2016.
He was a former Curwensville T-ball coach and an enthusiastic supporter of the Curwensville Area High School Marching Band, Golden Tide Football and Golden Tide Golf Team. He also enjoyed traveling, particularly to any warm beach.
He was blessed to enjoy trips to Maui, Hawaii, with his wife in 2006 and again in 2015 to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. He was also an avid Penn State football fan and recently became a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey fan.
He received a simultaneous heart and liver transplant on Feb. 21, 2011, in Baltimore, Md., in his fight against familial amyloidosis. The generosity of his donor family provided him with almost six years more years of life with his beloved family.
He was a volunteer speaker for Donate Life Pennsylvania and the Center for Organ Recovery & Education.
The family will receive friends on from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home Inc., Clearfield, and from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Moriconi Funeral Home Inc., 1303 Bigler Ave., Northern Cambria, where a Vigil Service will be held at 2 p.m.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, 1169 Alverda Rd., Nicktown, with the Rev. Fr. Michael Gabler officiating. Burial will follow at St. Nicholas Catholic Cemetery, Nicktown.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Benamati requested memorial donations be made in his name for his family to CNB Bank, Attn. Jo Maines-Lowman, 1 S. Second St., Clearfield, PA 16830.
To send online tributes, go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com.
The Bennett & Houser Funeral Home Inc. of Clearfield is in charge of the arrangements.
