MARIO F. DI BENEDETTO

96, of Providence, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2011 at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Estelle (Fracassa) DiBenedetto. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Tomaso and Maria (Guilano) Di Benedetto. Mr. DiBenedetto was a self employed architect for over sixty years before retiring in 2003. Mario was a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, a charter member of the ARA, and member of the American Institute of Architects. Mario was the designer of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Mary, St. Bartholomew and St. Robert Bellarmine Churches, St. Ann's Cemetery Chapel, and Our Lady of Providence Seminary. He was a US Army Veteran serving during WW II with the Headquarters Squadron 5th Air Force in the Pacific Theatre. Mario was a founding member of the Alpine Country Club.

He is survived by three nieces, Sandra Federici, of Moorestown, NJ, Linda Petronio of Smithfield, and Mia DiBenedetto of Wickford, one great-niece Linda-Maria Federici, and one great-nephew Joseph Federici. Mario was the brother of the late Rose Cicerelli, Nicholas DiBenedetto, Matilda DeThomas, and Angelina DiBenedetto

Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary Church, 1525 Cranston Street, Cranston. Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Ann's Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS Tuesday 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hasbro Children's Hospital, C/O RI Hospital Foundation, Box H Annex Station, Providence, RI 02901.

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