Benedetto Dominic Lancia

Benedetto Dominic “Benny” Lancia, 94, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2023 after a brief illness. Benny was born in Portland at his home on Newbury Street on November 24, 1928, the youngest child of Pietro and Bernarda Gazzellone Lancia. He attended North School and Portland High School. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed primarily in Germany and was awarded an Army Occupation Medal for his service. Benny worked as a bricklayer and tile setter. He was proud to have installed tile in many buildings across Maine and New England, including the original and additional wings of the Maine Mall, Maine Medical Center, dozens of schools, and other public buildings as well as in the homes of family and friends. He was a master of terrazzo, a specialty tile. He mentored countless apprentices including members of his family, proudly passing on his craft. Benny married Joan Gallant on June 25, 1966 after a decade long courtship. They raised their only son Peter in the Riverton neighborhood in Portland where they lived for almost 50 years. In 2014, Benny and Joan sold their home and moved to The Park Danforth where they were very happy and made many friends among the residents and staff. Benny, Joan, and Peter spent summers at their camp on Forest Lake which Joan designed and Benny built from the ground up. He could build or repair anything, enjoyed working outdoors, and welcomed time spent at the lake. Benny was proud of his Italian heritage, maintaining traditions and recounting stories of his adventures and the old neighborhood. He had a great sense of humor, loved to make people laugh, and was always the first to take care of others. He was a parishioner at St. Peter’s Church and also attended the former St. Edmund’s Church in Westbrook, and St. Pius X Church and Cathedral in Portland. He was devoted to his family, especially his grandchildren Julia, Joey, and Andrea. He cherished every moment he spent with them, as they did with him. He held them in the most special place in his heart. Benny was predeceased by his parents, his brother Orlando and his wife Carmela, his sisters Josephine and her husband Tony Palermino, Tomassina and her husband Sal Marzilli, and Nancy and her husband John Donovan. A brother Rocco and sisters Pasqualina, Teresa, and Maria died in childhood. Benny is survived by his beloved wife Joan, his son Peter and his wife Carolyn, his grandchildren Julia, Joey, and Andrea, many special nieces, nephews, and godchildren, and countless friends. Visiting hours will be held on Monday February 13, 2023 from 4-6pm at Conroy Tully Walker Funeral Home in South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9:15am on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. To view Benny’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Donations in Benny’s memory may be made to: St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 307 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101