Obituary of Nino Cesare Bennicelli

Nino Cesare Bennicelli was born on July 12, 1929 in New York City to Giovanni and Lina Bennicelli. He moved with his father and brother to Rome, Italy at the age of two. He returned to the United States in 1949. Although he only completed the eighth grade, Nino had a sharp intellect and inquisitive nature. He completed studies at the RCA Institute and worked for many years as an electrical engineer in the radio division of the Ford Motor Company. Nino had a creative mind and loved to invent. He and his team developed the first search function for car radios, and Nino devised automatic headlights for his home automobile. Nino was also intrigued by computers and the Internet. He taught himself to use the computer, and he loved to research topics with "his friends" Google and Yahoo. Nino was the ultimate Mr. Fix-It. He could repair anything from automobiles, to washing machines, radios, and plumbing. Nino was always enthralled with flight. He built and flew radio-controlled airplanes, and he soared in a glider. At the age of 82, Nino flew in and piloted a 1933 Waco UIC biplane originally owned by William Randolph Hearst. Nino loved adventure. Together with his wife Mary he traveled throughout the United States, and returned many times to Italy. They explored St. Maartin, St. Lucia, Mexico, Italy, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, England, Canada, and Poland. Nino and Mary visited many locales by motorcycle and even rescued their guide while white-water river rafting. Nino loved the beach and the ocean. Summer vacations always were spent at the seashore, where he enjoyed fishing and sailing his small Scorpion sailboat. When he retired, he fulfilled his dream to live on the water in Florida. Nino is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary; his three children, Jeannette Bennicelli, Michael Bennicelli, and Laura Arceneaux; and six grandchildren Dana Kilgarriff, Lina Kuhn, Michael Bennicelli Jr., Victor Bennicelli, Anthony Bennicelli, and Sylvia Bennicelli. Nino was overjoyed when he recently became a great grandfather with the birth of Laila Jamie Kuhn and Michael Bennicelli. The family will extend invitations to attend a private celebration of life.