Benjamin Francis Citero

Benjamin Francis Citero, 92, passed away Thursday, January 6, 2022. He was born August 15, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Demetrio Citero and Theresa Pierre Citero.

Benjamin (Sonny) Citero was a beloved father to Robert and Linda, a devoted husband to Wanda, a loving grandfather to Christopher and his wife Cassia, Jeffrey and his wife Brianne, and Alysa and a great-grandfather to Clarissa. He was a dedicated family man and never missed an event or special occasion. He was often referred to as “The Mayor of Wendell’’ because of his outgoing personality and ability to make friends everywhere he went. Benjamin moved to the Raleigh area of North Carolina after living over 70 years in New York City. In his youth, he served in the Army and was a proud veteran. In 1954, he married Wanda and was married to her for 65 years until her passing in 2019. For many years he volunteered at WakeMed Hospital and was very active in his local church, St. Eugene where he helped host events with senior parishioners. He also spent many wonderful years at Robinwood as the “social butterfly” playing bingo and entertaining his neighbors with jokes. He always had a giving heart- whether it be donating to charities for children, spoiling his grandchildren and fur grandchildren, or dressing up as Santa to bring holiday cheer to everyone around him.  His family referred to him as “Sammy Snapshot” because he liked to capture every moment through a lens so he had future memories to share. His biggest gift in life was making others smile and his vivacious spirit was most certainly contagious to everyone around him. We will miss him dearly but we know he is free from pain and suffering."

A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at Saint Eugene Catholic Church, 608 Lions Club Rd, Wendell, NC 27591

He is survived by his son, Robert Citero and wife, Andrea; grandchildren: Christopher, Jeffrey, Alysa; brother, Sam Citero; sister, Helen C. D’Amato.

In addition to his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Slawski Citero.

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