Obituary: Ben J. Ciulla

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Ben J. Ciulla, age 75, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in "The Bush" on March 4, 1927, the son of Peter and Anna (Cimino) Ciulla. Ben graduated from Madison Central High School. Upon graduation he entered the military, serving in the Air Force during WWII. Ben was a sheet metal worker for many years and a proud member of the sheet metal workers union, local #565. He had a great love of travel, the outdoors, and tinkering with home projects. His first love was his family and he is survived by 10 children, Nancy (Ken) Marshall, Paul (Natalie) Ciulla, Anna (Jack) Brown, Theresa (Donnie) Boatright, Ben (Sharon) Ciulla Jr., Kathy (Darryl) Campbell, Tony Ciulla, Carrie (Tray) Turner, Angela (Tom) Ciulla, and Richard "BJ" Ciulla; nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Ciulla; a sister, Mary Lou Hockett; a former wife, Paula Ciulla; and several nieces and nephews. Ben was preceded in death by a son, Peter Ciulla; his parents; and a sister, Isabell Ciulla. A brief memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2002, at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK CHAPEL, 601 E. Broadway, Monona, with Monsignor Douglas Dushack presiding. Following the cemetery service, friends and family are invited to a reception at 3405 Dryden Drive, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made in Ben's memory to be disbursed by his family, in care of Mary Lou Hockett, 3125 Thorp St., Madison, 53714. Forever in our Hearts. Fitch Lawrence Sanfillippo Cress Funeral & Cremation Service (608) 238-8406

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 30, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)