Obituary of Peter Benedetto

On Saturday, June 24th we lost the rock of our family when Peter Benedetto passed peacefully at the age of 84 surrounded by family after experiencing a cardiac arrest the day before. 

Beloved husband of Edna Seaman Benedetto; father of Steven Benedetto; brother-in-law to Donald Seaman, Mary Seaman, Carol Seaman, Thomas Seaman and Jackie Giusti Seaman; uncle to Robert, the late Alyssa Seaman, Sarah, Michelle, Tommy, Michael and Addison; and friend to everyone he met! 

Peter was one of a kind who knew everyone and would talk to and make friends with almost everyone he met. Born in Bari, Italy, he grew up in an orphanage and came to America at the age of 13 pursuant to an Act of Congress. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and loved to get his veteran’s discount. A legend in the restaurant industry on Long Island and NYC, he was an owner, operator and chef extraordinaire. 

He taught us so much but most importantly to live life, eat and drink well, don’t take things too seriously and have fun. Known for his witty sayings he often said you might as well enjoy your life to the fullest because no one is getting out of here alive. Every family holiday was a feast because he would cook for us which was his way of showing his love. At our annual DeChiaro family picnics he would cook steak and sausage and his famous pasta which inevitably had all our cousins eating with him and laughing and telling stories. His backyard barbecues were well known for the amazing food and drinks, as well as our intense family volleyball games. 

Close friends with the Jets, Mets and Islanders of the late 60s, 70s and 80s because they came into his restaurants, he would tell stories about his hysterical antics with them before the world became politically correct. When Jerry Koosman had his number 36 retired by the Mets two years ago, he insisted that Peter attend the ceremony and sit right next to him. He took me to a Mets game when I was 15 and he first started dating my sister Edna and not only did we sit in the first box behind home plate but Rusty Staub and Jerry Grote came over and handed me a signed bat and ball. Needless to say he had my permission to date my sister. When Bobby Nystrom of the Islanders attended his wedding to my sister, he made sure Bobby signed autographs for everyone who wanted one. 

Handsome and charming, he cooked on TV for the Joe Franklin Show and Regis Philbin Show many times. He spoke four languages and was happy to chat with the dishwashers in his restaurants just as much as the politicians and celebrities who ate at his restaurants. He was kind to everyone and happy to share his latest stock or betting tip. What he did best was listen and make you feel important. If you needed something, he was the first one there to help. 

We love you Peter and are still processing that you are no longer with us. Fortunately, we were all together last weekend for Addie’s first birthday party and spent the day with him. My last words to him were, I love you Peter.  Then again, everyone loved Peter!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Epilepsy Foundation:

www.epicli.org