Benedetto DiGiovanni

Howland - Benedetto DiGiovanni, 97, died peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2024 in Howland surrounded by his family.

He was born December 2, 1927 in Downtown Warren in his parent’s home on Clinton Street, the son of Domenico and Antoinette DiGiovanni. He married his wife, Despina, née Diakakis, on December 26,1952.

He was a gentleman’s gentleman. To his family, he was Papou. To his friends, he was Uncle Benny. He knew how to throw a party. He knew how to prepare a meal. He knew how to extend a welcome, and he knew how to bestow honor. He taught without judging and guided without criticizing. His eyes never showed wrath and his tongue never betrayed hate. His heart was pure and his hospitality unyielding. The love of God poured out of him, and all who knew him were better for it.

He worked a long career in public service, starting with courage under fire in the Pacific Theater of World War II at the Battle of Okinawa in the United States Navy. After learning to fly planes via the GI Bill, he spent a year transporting timber men in the Canadian wilderness where he developed a taste for their whiskey. He returned to his home and public service, regulating liquor licenses for the State of Ohio for nearly two decades and once made more than twenty arrests in a single night. He spent over a

decade working security at GM Lordstown and finished his career back in Warren as an investigator for the Public Defender’s office. In many ways, he was the best of Warren, Ohio and logged more than his fair share of hours in the stands of Mollenkopf Stadium watching the Raiders play football.

Papou leaves behind two children, Michael in Warren and Annette in Howland. He has one grand-daughter Angela Dobson and her husband Patrick living in Birmingham, Michigan with two great-grandchildren, Brooke and namesake Santino Benedetto. He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother Joseph and his sister Carmella.

No services will be held and local arrangements are entrusted to the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel of Warren.

Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary, sign the guest book and send condolences to the DiGiovanni family.

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