Benny Castagneri

Benny Castagneri
Benny Castagneri, 89, Hibbing, died Saturday, February 15, 2014, at Cornerstone Villa in Buhl.  He was born Dec. 30, 1924, in Chisholm, MN to Carlo and Dominica Castagneri.  Ben served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Camp # 717 and in the US Army during World War II.  He saw combat in the South Pacific and was discharged with the rank of Corporal.  Ben worked for 31 years at Park Chevrolet in Chisholm and later worked out of his home repairing engines.  He loved polka music and was a member of the East—West Buttoneers Group.  He also loved fishing, restoring classic cars with his son, Ben, and traveling the United States in his motor home.  He was a member of VFW Post 8510 and the Shifter’s Car Club.
He is survived by a daughter, Linda (Ron Gustafson) Castagneri of Albuquerque, NM; a son, Ben (Debbie) Castagneri of Hibbing; step-daughters Pamela Rask of Greenwich, CT and Dr. Cynthia Rask of San Francisco, CA; grandchildren Katie (William) Purdy, Megan (Tom) Hill, and Gabriela Rask and by numerous nieces and nephews.  Ben was preceded in death by his wife Vivian in 1967, and by his wife Lorraine in 2010; by his parents; by a step-son, Eric Rask; by brothers Frank, Carlo, Angelo, Floyd, and Enrico Castagneri; and by a sister, Rigetta McGregor.
Visitation will be Friday, February 21, 2014, at Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing, from 10 AM until the 11 AM funeral service.  Interment will be in Warba Cemetery at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shifters Mechanics Scholarship Fund, PO Box 505 Hibbing ,MN  55746.  To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com.

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