Mr. Benedict M. Arnella, 83, “Benny” as he was well known passed away on Sunday, August 13, 2017.

Born in Brooklyn, Benny was raised as a farmer’s son in Hazlet by his parents Bernard Arnella and Mary (Donnarumma) Arnella. He graduated from Keyport High School in 1953 as the best dressed and best dancer! Benny met his wife, Mary Greco, at the Hazlet Fireman’s Fair. They married in 1959 and had three children. They lived in Hazlet until 1968 when they moved to Colts Neck. Benny was many things to many people. He was a Quality Manager for Kerr Glass. Benny was always excited to share with everyone that his company provided the famous “press down while turning” medicine cap. He was a proud fireman as Chief of Hazlet Fire Company #1 and Colts Neck Fire Company #2. He had great respect for his duties as a Chief. He was always in his garden and greenhouse providing produce for the neighborhood long before the community garden craze. He enjoyed teaching friends how to farm. He was Santa Claus for The Home Away From Home Academy along with his wife, Mary, as Mrs. Claus. Often, we heard he was the best Santa ever. He was the character, Ernie, driving the tractor on the farm owned by the Mocci’s. He loved to make kids smile. He was a detailed furniture restorer always ready to explain the difference between turpentines. Benny was a creative carpenter who made our doll house and an ice skating rink in our backyard for all of us and the neighborhood kids. He was the happy groundskeeper for Christian Brothers Academy. He served his country honorably in the US Army in Germany. Benny was a lover of all animals. If you knew Benny, he was always side by side with his beloved dogs. He befriended many Canada geese each year and trained them to weed his garden. After migration, they actually returned to visit him. But most of all Benny was the “Salt of the Earth” – put here to do God’s will, love his family, love the earth, share his experiences in his professor voice. We will miss our walking encyclopedia. He always said, “I want to leave my mark”, and he did leave it on this earth and our hearts.

Benny was predeceased by his brother Philip. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 58 years, his brother Bernard, his life-long friend Billy Weigand, his daughter Mary and Tony Castaldo, his daughter Frances and Bob McCloskey, his son Benedict and Carrie Arnella Jr. and his six grandchildren Anthony, Nicholas, Christian, Maximiliano, Olivia, and Lola.

Visitation will be Friday, August 18th 4-8 pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel. Funeral service will be Saturday, August 19th, 10:00 am at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

For directions or to post an online condolence – visit www.holmdelfuneralhome.com