Obituary: Benedict J. McAvoy, 90

Benedict J. McAvoy, longtime resident of Rockville Centre, died peacefully on Nov. 8 at the age of 90.

McAvoy was born at home in Plainfield, N.J., a day after the untimely death of his father, also Benedict.

He was the youngest of four children, all of whom served the military during World War II. Their mom, Brenda, was known in Plainfield for proudly displaying four gold stars in her window.

A proud WWII Naval veteran — a “Tin Can Sailor” — McAvoy served on the destroyer USS Tillman, and was present at the invasion of Sicily, known as Operation Husky.

During the late 40s and early 50s, he once again served his country, this time with the State Department’s Foreign Service, in Stuttgart, Germany and Rome, Italy. In Rome, McAvoy was well known by all at the U.S. Embassy, and occasionally appeared in the social pages of the Rome Daily American. Two of his siblings stayed on in Europe with him in the Diplomatic Corps, and were always invited to all the parties of the era at the various Embassies and villas. While in Rome, McAvoy had the honor and privilege of attending a private audience with Pope Pius XII.

Back in the States, McAvoy became involved with the moving and relocation business. Later in his career, he was an award-winning moving counselor with Astro Moving & Storage, part of Allied Van Lines. McAvoy also loved his Yankees, and was a well known original member at the Malibu Beach Club.

McAvoy is survived by his loving wife Jean (nee Emberton), children Pam (Mark) Kostelec, Sharon (Rich) Bianchetti, Kevin (Kathy) McAvoy; grandchildren Kimberly and Nicholas Kostelec, Samantha and Caroline Bianchetti, Ryan, Colin and Erin McAvoy.

A funeral mass was celebrated at St. Agnes Cathedral on Nov. 12, with a military burial following at Calverton National Cemetery.