Ben A. Santangelo, 70, of Niagara Falls, NY passed on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, NY after a brief illness. Born in Niagara Falls, NY he was the son of the late Bartolomeo "Ben" and Filomena "Fannie" (Cafarella) Santangelo.


Ben was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, NY and attended local schools including Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, NY where he earned an Associate's Degree. He later attended the University of Buffalo until being called to active duty as an Airman First Class with the 107th Air National Guard on January 26, 1968. He actively served until his honorable discharge as a Sergeant on June 11, 1969 and was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Medal and an Air Force Good Conduct Medal. On July 26, 1969 he married Sandra (Bazzani) Santangelo at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niagara Falls. Ben worked at the Niagara Falls Air Base as a Chief Master Sergeant with the 107th Air National Guard until his retirement in 1998. He was currently employed by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission where he had been working for the past 15 years. Above all, Ben enjoyed spending time and taking care of his loving family.


In addition to his wife of forty four years, Ben is survived by two daughters Renee (Michael) Leone of Syracuse, NY and Michele Santangelo of Niagara Falls, NY and was predeceased by an infant daughter Maria. He is also survived by three grandchildren Jamie, Samantha and Mackenzie Leone; two brothers Richard (Mary Ann) Santangelo and Robert (late Vincenette) Santangelo and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was the brother-in-law of Dan (Beverley) Bazzani, Ann (late James) Wiegand both of Niagara Falls, NY and Anita (Gerald) Feldman of Pittsburgh, PA. He was also predeceased by two brothers, John (Josephine of Niagara Falls, NY) Santangelo and Frank (Julie of Niagara Falls, NY) Santangelo, as well as one sister, Antoinette Santangelo.


Visitation will be on Thursday from 6 – 8 p.m. and on Friday from 3 – 8 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will begin on Saturday March 1st at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Stewart Lindsay, O.S.F.S. officiating. Entombment with Military Honors will be held in in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY.