Lieutenant Commander Benjamin N. Cittadino, III, 34 of Norfolk Va. passed away Saturday January 14th at the Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia. Lieutenant Commander Cittadino was born May 14, 1977 in Princeton, NJ to Benjamin Cittadino and Joan Rice. In 1999 he received his BS degree in Biology from Duke University, Durham, NC. He was …
Read More
Lieutenant Commander Benjamin N. Cittadino, III, 34 of Norfolk Va. passed away Saturday January 14th at the Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia. Lieutenant Commander Cittadino was born May 14, 1977 in Princeton, NJ to Benjamin Cittadino and Joan Rice. In 1999 he received his BS degree in Biology from Duke University, Durham, NC. He was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy on May 14th, 1999. After completing flight school, then Lieutenant Junior Grade Cittadino was designated a Naval Aviator, earning his wings of gold on October 5, 2001. Over the course of his career as an F/A-18 pilot, Lieutenant Commander Cittadino served in numerous units and in numerous roles including VFA-22, VFA-122 (instructor pilot), Carrier Air Wing 8, VFA-83, and VFA-106. He flew 58 combat missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Lieutenant Commander Cittadino was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, three Strike Flight Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medals. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at Duke and was an avid fan of Duke basketball, the New York Football Giants, and the New York Yankees. He loved good wine, golf, his dog, Luke, and spending time with his wife and son. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen; their son Benjamin N. Cittadino, IV; his Mother Joan Rice, Santa Maria, CA; Father, Benjamin N. Cittadino, Princeton, NJ; Stepfather, Gary Rice, Santa Maria, CA; Stepmother, Susan Anderson, Princeton, NJ; sister, Julia Colon, Los Alamos, CA; brother Marc Cittadino, Los Angeles, CA; as well as his loving nieces and nephews, in-laws and many members of a loving extended family. A private funeral mass and burial will be held in New Jersey. Memorial services will be Feb. 11th, at the Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Benjamin N. Cittadino IV scholarship fund, c/o Alex Stepanov, 360 Ferne Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Messages of condolence may be left at www.caringbridge.org/visit/bencittadino or at www.woolleyfh.com.
Bobby and Tom McNeary
left a message on January 31, 2013:
Our love and prayers are with you in this difficult time and always. You are in our thoughts.
Jim and Beverly Timmons
left a message on January 25, 2013:
Joan and family - We send our deepest sympathy and love. We know what a blessing and joy that Ben was to your family and his friends. We give thanks for his service to our country and we grieve with you at the loss that is real. Much love, the Timmons of South Carolina
Patt Pettit
left a message on January 20, 2013:
dear cousin Ben: I am deeply saddened to hear this. Loving hearts guided your boy home, and loving arms greet him there. The world is a better place because he was here.
Fernando & Gloria Cruz
left a message on January 19, 2013:
Thinking of you Helen and your family and knowing how caring you are from your UC Davis years. May you find comfort in the christian hope of knowing Ben is finally Home. A Mass will be celebrated in memory of Ben and for your intentions at St Hilary Church in Tiburon, Ca on the 11th of February.
CAPT Randy Tashjian, USN
left a message on January 19, 2013:
The Redcock family mourns the loss of Ben "Radish" Cittadino. He will always be remembered in our hearts as a true gentleman and spirited warrior; a loving husband and wonderful father- he will be missed by the US Navy extended family. We rest a bit easier knowing he is home.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Cathy (Todaro) Tomsic
left a message on January 18, 2013:
To all: I've left a message on the Caring Bridge site at the hospital. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very heartbreaking time. I've been comforted by the support you're receiving from family/friends and awed at the accomplishments of this handsome young man. I only wish that our paths had crossed more often. My sympathies especially to Helen and little Bennie. This is a strong family, Helen, in adversity and you will be helped through this with all we have to give. Lots of love and hugs. Big Ben's cousin, Cathy Todaro Tomsic
Cousin Peggy Ann
left a message on January 18, 2013:
Cousin Ben and family--We are so terribly sorry about the death of Ben. It is truly a tragedy and I know words can't help. Just know we are thinking of you all-- Peggy Ann and John
Maria Stepanov Sommerfield
left a message on January 18, 2013:
Our heart breaks for the loss of a loved and needed spouse, son, friend, and husband. You will be forever remembered by all of us as Helen's loving husband and the man that gave her a glowing happy smile. We pray for peace for you and for the beautiful family that grieves for you.
Robin, Joe and Carrie
left a message on January 18, 2013:
To Our Wonderful Ben, We will love you forever and miss you for always.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Show More
×
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Bobby and Tom McNeary
left a message on January 31, 2013:
Our love and prayers are with you in this difficult time and always. You are in our thoughts.
Jim and Beverly Timmons
left a message on January 25, 2013:
Joan and family - We send our deepest sympathy and love. We know what a blessing and joy that Ben was to your family and his friends. We give thanks for his service to our country and we grieve with you at the loss that is real. Much love, the Timmons of South Carolina
Patt Pettit
left a message on January 20, 2013:
dear cousin Ben: I am deeply saddened to hear this. Loving hearts guided your boy home, and loving arms greet him there. The world is a better place because he was here.
Fernando & Gloria Cruz
left a message on January 19, 2013:
Thinking of you Helen and your family and knowing how caring you are from your UC Davis years. May you find comfort in the christian hope of knowing Ben is finally Home. A Mass will be celebrated in memory of Ben and for your intentions at St Hilary Church in Tiburon, Ca on the 11th of February.
CAPT Randy Tashjian, USN
left a message on January 19, 2013:
The Redcock family mourns the loss of Ben "Radish" Cittadino. He will always be remembered in our hearts as a true gentleman and spirited warrior; a loving husband and wonderful father- he will be missed by the US Navy extended family. We rest a bit easier knowing he is home.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Cathy (Todaro) Tomsic
left a message on January 18, 2013:
To all: I've left a message on the Caring Bridge site at the hospital. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very heartbreaking time. I've been comforted by the support you're receiving from family/friends and awed at the accomplishments of this handsome young man. I only wish that our paths had crossed more often. My sympathies especially to Helen and little Bennie. This is a strong family, Helen, in adversity and you will be helped through this with all we have to give. Lots of love and hugs. Big Ben's cousin, Cathy Todaro Tomsic
Cousin Peggy Ann
left a message on January 18, 2013:
Cousin Ben and family--We are so terribly sorry about the death of Ben. It is truly a tragedy and I know words can't help. Just know we are thinking of you all-- Peggy Ann and John
Maria Stepanov Sommerfield
left a message on January 18, 2013:
Our heart breaks for the loss of a loved and needed spouse, son, friend, and husband. You will be forever remembered by all of us as Helen's loving husband and the man that gave her a glowing happy smile. We pray for peace for you and for the beautiful family that grieves for you.
Robin, Joe and Carrie
left a message on January 18, 2013:
To Our Wonderful Ben, We will love you forever and miss you for always.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
×
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.