Charles DiBenedetto

SAVANNAH - Charles Charlie DiBenedetto passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at St. Joseph's/Candler Hospital just 10 days prior to his 89th birthday. Charlie was born Carmello Caesare DiBenedetto to Italian immigrants, Anthony and Michelin Maggie Bevilaqua DiBenedetto, on May 9, 1919 in Savannah, GA. He later legally changed his name to Charles because it sounded more American.
As a boy, Charlie attended local Catholic schools, graduated from high school and went to work. During World War II, he served in a ship-welding yard where he developed skill in metalworking. After the war, he was employed by Bob Kaminsky in an automobile repair shop on Liberty Street. At night, he worked part-time as a ballroom dance instructor with Arthur Murray Studios. As an Arthur Murray employee, Charlie danced in competitions in Cuba, Mexico, Ireland, England, South America and major cities in the United States. It was while working with Arthur Murray as a dance instructor that he met his dear friend, Dorothy Parrish.
About Charlie it was often said that he never met a stranger. Over the years he was a member of many organizations including Knights of Columbus and the B. & P. O. Elks Lodge 183. He liked to work the Bingo games at the Elks Lodge and enjoyed traveling with Dorothy to exotic places. He was especially involved in service to the Church where he attended daily Mass, visited the sick and helped with projects such as decorating for holidays and keeping the candles in good order. In recent years, Charlie was an avid pro-life advocate who gave his time every Thursday to pray at the abortion clinic and to carry goods for the needy to the Social Apostolate. He was a loyal member of the Legion of Mary and a dedicated, prayerful man who never forgot his friends or failed to help anyone in need.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Maggie DiBenedetto, a sister, Theresa, and a sister-in-law, Vivian. Surviving family members include two brothers, Louis Jimmye Lou DiBenedetto and Frank DiBenedetto, both of Savannah, as well as many nieces and nephews. Charlie also leaves his companion of 37 years, Dorothy Parrish of Savannah and her family: Connie Jeff Spampinato; Larry Roberta Parrish; Vicki Beard; Sandra Keeton; Gary Shelby Parrish; Mike Parrish; 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Services will include Visitation from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, May 1, followed by the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. on First Friday, May 2, all of which will occur at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Interment will follow at Catholic Cemetery in Savannah.
Memorials may be sent to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 22 E. Harris Street, 31401; The Carmelite Monastery, 11 W. Back Street, 31419; or the Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund, 183 Wilshire Blvd., 31419.