Benito Ciotola
September 10 1940 - November 26 2006
Visitation :
John Quint Treboni Funeral Home
Friday December 1st 2006 2:00 PM-8:00 PM
1177 W. 5th Avenue
Columbus Ohio 43212
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Obituary
Benito "Benny" Ciotola, age 66, went into the arms of the Lord peacefully while in Naples Florida on Sunday, November 26, 2006. Benny was born September 10, 1940 in Cerreto, Italy, but lived in Columbus, Ohio most of his life. He was the owner of Benny's Barber Shop, owner and co-founder of LaScala Restaurant located in Dublin, Ohio, which was established in 1972 and co-founded The Refectory Restaurant in 1980. He will be missed by so many loyal patrons and employees. He was also a member of the American Italian Golf Association, Riviera Country Club and Columbus Italian Club. Benny was a devout Catholic, a beloved father, grandfather and brother, who enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He loved traveling, working in his tomato and geranium garden, golfing, cooking for his friends and family and was an avid card player. He is preceded in death by parents Francesco and Concetta Ciotola. Benny is survived by sons John(Anne)Ciotola, Michael(Katherine)Ciotola, daughter Stephanie Ciotola(fiancé, Andrea Mugnolo); and their loving mother Maria Ciotola; grandson Michael Anthony Ciotola, granddaughter Miriam Nevina Fiocca; brothers Dominic(Italia)Ciotola, Angelo(Silvia)Ciotola, Bruno(Evelina)Ciotola; sisters Dina(Joseph)Milano, Giovanna(Frank)Policaro; many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and countless devoted friends from the United States, Canada and Italy. Friends may call FRIDAY, December 1st, 2006 at the JOHN QUINT TREBONI FUNERAL HOME, 1177 W. 5th Avenue, from 2:00 PM-8:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 8:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 AM on SATURDAY, December 2nd, 2006 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 1559 Roxbury Road, Msgr. Romano Ciotola, Celebrant. Entombment will follow at the St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum, 6440 S. High Street, Lockbourne, Ohio. "You were so proud of these things on this earth that you had a hand in creating…you cared for them you watched them grow, you made them flourish…we promise to nurture and hold dear to these gifts that you have left for all of us in our minds, our bodies and in our spirit…Benny you have left your glorious mark on this world and we thank you for this, you will not be forgotten we will celebrate you, honor you and love you forever". In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may contribute in memory of Benny to The Benny Ciotola San Felice Fund, Cerreto, Italy, which will benefit the building fund of the San Felice Catholic Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent via www.johnquint.com.
Contributions
Contributions may be directed to any of the followingCondolences for Benito Ciotola
From : tina apollonio and family
To : the family of benny ciotola
Date: November 29th 2006
We're truly sorry for your loss.
From : Tibbi Wood Ramsdell
To : Maria and Family
Date: November 29th 2006
My heart goes out to all of you and you have my condolences. Happy thoughts - Benny gave me my first job when LaScala opened and instilled a work ethic held to this day. I have never forgotten the very early days in the La Scala kitchen - Steve and Pete running the show in the kitchen; Maria showing how to make wedding soup meatballs and teaching us Salad Girls how to make Benny's recipe - the best Italian dressing - and antipasto ever; Char hostessing; Judy and Wanda waiting tables as only they could do; Tim bussing; Benny yelling on the phone to Ritchie to make sure the final construction touches were underway; and the Ciotola baby boys ducking in and out, following Maria, before opening time, but always on their best behavior; our vendors bringing in boxes of produce, fresh-baked rolls, the very best of meats - ahhh. My favorite rememberance is Benny orchestrating the kitchen chaos right before opening and when he said to shape up, we did, and the show went on and we were sooo on for him.
Benito, rest well. 34+ years later and I still look to you as my mentor - thank you!
Tibbi Wood
La Scala class of '72-'75
From : Guy A & Verna DeVito
To : Benny Ciotola Family
Date: November 29th 2006
With deepest Sympathy
With deepest thoughts of you and your family during this time of sadness.
From : Patricia (Martina) Christie
To : The family of Benny
Date: November 30th 2006
I am very sorry for your loss. My father, Nicholas Martina, always had Benny cut his hair and I remember my father talking about what a genuinly nice, loving person he was. Again, I am sorry for your loss - but know that God has him in good hands (along with my father). Sincerely, Patricia (Martina) Christie
From : Bob Longenabaker
To : Johnny & MIchael
Date: November 30th 2006
My thoughts go to both of you on the loss of your dad. He was a friend ever since he cut my hair decades ago and will be sadly missed.
Sincerely,
Bob Longenbaker
From : Jim & Verna Allen
To : John & Michael Ciotola
Date: November 30th 2006
Johnnie & Michael,
We're so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. He was always one of my favorite "characters" from the club. Since we live in the Upper Peninsula of MI now, we won't be able to attend the viewing or service but you will be in our thoughts and prayers. We will be home around the holidays so we'll stop in the restaurant.
Our deepest sympathy to both of you.
Jim & Verna
From : Phillip Vasey - former employee
To : The Ciotola family
Date: December 1st 2006
I am sorry for your loss. He will be missed by many but never forgotten. He has touched so many people in so many ways.
From : Silvia Valerio
To : Ciotola Family
Date: December 1st 2006
We are in grief to hear of his sad and untimely demise.
At this time of sorrow, we extend our sincere condolances to you, and wish the departed soul of Benito, eternal peace.
From : Sandi Briggs
To : The Family
Date: December 1st 2006
I am so sorry that after 20 years of working for your dad, that I will be out of town, with my mother, while you are all saying goodbye. I have told each of you this, at one time or another, I loved Benny..........he had more integrity than anyone I have ever known. I could go on for pages about the rules that he bent for a young, broke, homesick, mother who came to work for him. When I could not afford a sitter in the summer, he gave me the summer off. When I was unexpectedly blessed to be pregnant (and everyone said be prepared to be fired) he gave me $10 for luck and a larger apron..... Benny didn't think that "the customer is always right" If someone behaved rude or innapropriately he would say to them "Joe, you gonna treat my girls like that, you not gonna be able to come back" I will miss Benny and I agree with Willi that nothing will ever be the same without him. I hope that our dads recognize each other in Heaven.....they have a lot in common and I would love for my dad reap the rewards of Benny's return to the stove........
From : Bonnie MacAllister, Andy and Bill Dutcher,III
To : Johnny, Michael, Stephanie and Maria
Date: December 1st 2006
To the Family:
Andy, Bill and I are so proud to have known Bennie. He was a joy to be with and we will all miss him. We will never forget his smiling face as he shared his delicious tomatoes with us when we were there with our Mom and Grandmother, Beaty Thomas. She loved him as well. Bennie will never be gone as long as he is in our hearts.
Our love and prayers are with you all.
From : Ron Melchiorre
To : John & Mike Ciotola
Date: December 2nd 2006
Sorry for the loss of Benny, My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
From : Rosemary Byers
To : Maria Ciotola
Date: December 2nd 2006
I am so sorry I could not be with you today. I will really miss being with you and Benny on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the short time that I was with Benny, I really enjoyed his company. I wish you the best of luck.
From : Homer & Eileen Lynn and Virginia Miller
To : The Ciotola Family
Date: December 3rd 2006
Deepest condolences on the passing of Benny. We are thinking of you all.
From : Freda Nance Smith
To : Benny Ciotola
Date: December 3rd 2006
You have been a dear Friend for many years. I will miss you. You will be in my prayers and Holy Communion throughout this Holy Christmas Season. You are loved and will be missed by many. My deepest sympathy , Love Freda
From : The Marzetti Family
To : The Ciotola Family
Date: December 4th 2006
Our family was so sorry to hear about Benny. He was a dear man, we often thought of him, and his family, our prayers, and thoughts are with you all of you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
The Marzetti's
From : Tom & Betty Rieck
To : Benny
Date: December 5th 2006
We will remember the great times and sorly will miss you.
From : Michael Klocinski and family
To : Michael, John and family
Date: December 6th 2006
Mike & Johnny, I am very sorry for your loss. Benny was a great man. I enjoyed every minute I got to work at La Scalla with your family. It was a good time and learning experience that I still share stories about to this day. Johnny, how about the time you wore your chewing tobacco spit when Michael ratted you out to your dad for leaving it in the office, that was hilarious you have to admit. Anyway your father reached out to a lot of people and I am glad I was one of them. P.S. good luck with Luce.
Mike Klocinski
From : Amanda
To : Benny and family
Date: February 12th 2024
Just reminiscing about my childhood after running into an old childhood friend and found this obituary for Benny. I remember benn from when I was 3-5 years old. We lived in the apartments behind La Scala. We would often see Benny outside and he would always wave, smile, and give us kids quarters to buy a soda from thr vending machine outside the restaurant. He was so kind and has a special place in my memories. Just thought I would share these fond memories with his loved ones. God bless you all.