Sebastian “Ben” J. Furnaro, 84, of Tampa, FL-US Army-World War II Veteran funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, March 2, 2012, at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, FL 33744 with the Pinellas County Military Honor Guard, to officiate.
A native of New York, he moved to Tampa from Brooklyn in 1961, then retired from Aircraft Services. He was a Catholic and a US Army Veteran of WWII and a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal.
He is predeceased in death by his parents, Antonino and Pangrazia Furnari, a son-in-law, (Richard Trice), 2 sisters, (Lucy Leal and Angie Parsowith) and 1 brother, (Joseph Furnaro). He is survived by his loving companion and life partner, Carmen “Margie” Lashley, his children, Frances Alonso (Richard) of Tampa, Anthony Furnaro (Francesca) of Tampa, Catherine Trice of Plant City, Donna Guagliardo (James) of Roundrock, Texas and a brother, Frank Furnaro (Olympia) of California. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Jennifer Garcia (William), Richard Alonso Jr. (Katherine), Christina Coll (Caleb), Kristal Furnaro, Heather Murphy (Daniel), Rachel Walker (Matthew), Kristy-Lee Jacobs, nine great-grand children and several nieces and nephews.
He was born as Sebastiano J. Furnari, in NYC where he grew up singing on street corners with several local quartets and developed his passion for music. His many talents included playing the piano with Sorrento and Love Me with All of Your Heart as his signature pieces. He also loved ballroom dancing and enjoyed competing in dancing events with his soul mate, Margie.
We’ll miss the jingling of change in his pockets, his famous “a cha cha cha cha” and “hey… you!”
The family requests that in lieu of flowers; please make donations to the charity of your choice in memory of Ben.
Veterans Funeral care
727-524-9202
Ben, You you be greatly missed, Thank you for bringing joy into our lives
My deepest sympathy to Margie and Ben’s family. I first met Ben at Parents Without Parters (PWP) We soon became friends and stayed friends through PWP and also through Margie whom I already knew. He was a good person and always so helpful to everyone. Love Alice
Ben, you will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved you….. and everyone loved you. I am happy I had the opportunity to know you and know the joy and love you brought to my friend, Margie. Love, Gayle
To My SISTERS & MY DAD’S LONGTIME MAGICAL & LOYAL COMPANION
To MY SISTERS Frances,Cathy,Donna & MY Brother In Laws & MY DAD’S LONGTIME MAGICAL & LOYAL COMPANION MARGIE;
My Heart Thanks YOU All In this time of SADNESS.
I LOVE YOU ALL Rest in Peace DAD
Frances, Cathy, & Donna My GREAT SISTER IN LAWS, My Sympathy to you All. May DAD Rest in PEACE!
Dad, You will be Greatly Missed, Love your Daughter in Law Franca
Margie; YOU ARE THE ANGEL DAD LOVED DEARLY… You were everything to him.. WE ALL Thank you for all you have done every moment you spent with Dad. You are a VERY SPECIAL PERSON in all our HEARTS. We Love you Margie…
Love Franca, Tony & Girls ( Kristi & Kristal)
Dear Grandpa I hope you rest in peace in HEAVEN.
I love you with all my heart. You will be greatly missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will always have a place in my heart reserved for you!!!!
Love always, Your Granddaughter Kristal Furnaro
To my sibblings, It has been many years that we have been seeing our father dealing with his decease, and he is now resting in peace with his loves ones in heaven. He never stopped loving each of us. Each of us have our own personal memories with him, and the thing i will keep closetest to my heart is all the years growing up. All of us have a part of him in our personalities, and I will cherrish those moments as I see them in your actions, in your smiles, and in your joy. My Love to all of you, and my thanks for always being there for me. Love You
To Margie, Thank you for being you. Your loving and kind ways are ones to be admired. Your strenght and compasion shows in your presence. My prayers will be with you daily and I will never forget the conversations with my dad where he shared his love for you. The word Saint comes to mind when speaking of your name, and how true it is. Thanks for standing by my dad all through the years, and for being there when he passed. You being there helped me in my dealing with his passing. There are no words to express my gratitude, and I hope Thank You and we Love you will suffice. Love You
Fran, Donna, Kathy & Tony – My deepest, deepest sympanthies for your loss. Although he’s gone, you need to know that he’ll always be in my heart and a wonderful, joyous part of my life. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of his. To you Ben, it was a great ride while it lasted. Till we meet again, save a dance for me. Love Margie
Ben, I will miss those twinkling bright eyes!! Our walks on Delta were precious!! You, Margie, and your wonderful family were my first here at Baldomero and I am grareful for knowing and serving you my first veteran!!!
Frances, Tony and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father. I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
You have my sincere condolences.
Love, Toni
Rest in peace grandpa, you will be missed <3 We love you !
To Ben’s Family,
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Ben was a wonderful person. We knew him through Margie, a very dear friend of ours. We were very fortunate to spend many good times with him through the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Irene & Del
Margie,
We know how much you loved Ben. He was the apple of your eye. Thanks for sharing him with us through all the good times we had together.
We love you!!!!
Irene & Del
To Margie,
My sincerest sympathy to you and your family on the great loss of Ben.
As Always,
Josephine (Josie)Gonzalez
2401 Bayshore Blvd
#802
Tampa, Fl 33629
(813)2549088