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Matthew DeBenedette
Matthew DeBenedette of Hampton Bays died on November 9. He was 45.
A life-long resident of Hampton Bays, Mr. DeBenedette was a proud Bayman and graduated from Hampton Bays High School, where he participated in many sports, including cross-country, baseball, and basketball. He went on to graduate from High Point University in North Carolina with a degree in business. Upon returning from college, he worked in the family painting business.
According to his family, Mr. DeBenedette had a sweet, gentle soul that will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was an avid football fan and especially loved his Baltimore Ravens and fantasy baseball and football teams.
Mr. DeBenedette, his family noted, always made time for the people in life: going to the movies, playing games, singing karoke, cheering on his favorite teams, bowling, swimming at the beach, and celebrating holidays.
“His easy-going personality made just being with him always enjoyable,” his family said. “We have endless fond memories of good times with Matthew. He would readily lend a hand; give the shirt off his back even if it was his only shirt.”
He was predeceased by his mother Vera DeBenedette.
He is survived by his father Marcel DeBenedette and his wife Jeannie DeBenedette; his brother Nathaniel and his wife Bari of Hampton Bays; his sister Larissa and her husband Christopher Reily of Ipswich, Massachusetts; nieces Piper and Logan; nephews Jake and Jack; aunts and uncles Denise and Joseph Spitaleri and Carol and Charlie Bishop of Florida; and cousins Craig and Charles Bishop. He is also survived by his uncles Rene DeBenedette of Southampton and Raymond and Carol Connell of Windham, New York.
His family wished to express their gratitude for the outpouring of love, sympathy and support received after Mr. DeBenedette’s death.
“We are sincerely moved by the number of people he has touched and loved him,” his family said. “Matthew, we miss you dearly and you will forever be in our hearts.”
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, 102 Old Riverhead Rd, Hampton Bays, NY 11946 would be appreciated by the family. Mr. DeBenedette loved animals and was surrounded by animals his entire life, his family said, noting that Southampton Animal Shelter holds a special significance to Mr. DeBenedette because that is where he found his canine companion, Leonard.
27east on Nov 16, 2020