Aleseo J. Baffone, Jr.

Ben passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, February 23, 2015.

Ben was born in Wilmington on August 22, 1932, son of the late Aleseo and Josephine Baffone.  He was a resident of Newark and Bethany Beach, DE, and Marco Island, FL.  Ben was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  He was a longtime member of Ironworkers Local #451 and a hardworking businessman.  Ben and his wife, Nancy, founded Murphy Steel, Inc. in 1979, and he worked tirelessly to provide for his large family and received the most joy spending time with them. 

Ben is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy (Payne) Baffone; his nine children, Kathy Baffone (Chris Kennedy), Gregory Baffone (Kathleen), Aleseo Baffone III (Kathie), Judi DiFrancesco (Dan), Nancy LaPorte (Tom), Clare LePere (Dennis), Marie McLearie (Jeff), Anthony Baffone (Jena) and Vincent Baffone (Stephanie); and his son-in-law, Philip Hruska.  Ben was predeceased by his daughter, Joanne Hruska. 

Ben has 24 beloved grandchildren: Nichole Baffone, Andrea Degnan (Chris), Katie Gutowski (Dan), Ben Baffone, Jenna Baffone, Gregory Baffone Jr., Alesha and Vincent Hruska, Angela LaRocco (Brian), A.J., Matt and Lauren Baffone, Dan (Maggi), Vito (Lindsay) and Julia DiFrancesco, Diana and Christina LaPorte, Dominic and Gabriela Serio, Alison, Bryan and Reilly McLearie, Anthony Baffone Jr. and Elizabeth Baffone; and 10 beloved great grandchildren: Paige, James, Nolan, Aedan, Quinn, Ella, Olivia, Nicholas, Adrianna and Rocco.

Ben was the youngest of 12 children, and is survived by his sister, Vi Cleary; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marie and Butch Sosnowski; numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly; his “Browntown Coffee Club” friends; and his Chickee-Hut Florida friends.

Ben was predeceased by his brothers, Nicholas, Dominic, Albert and Herman Baffone; and his sisters, Jenny Bradley, Eva Angelini, Elvira Yost, Marge Gregg and Ann Murphy.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Holy Angels Church, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark on Friday, February 27 from 2:00-6:00PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Angels Church on Saturday, February 28 at 10:00AM.  Entombment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.

Due to the Lenten Season, the Baffone family respectfully requests that flowers be omitted, and donations in memory of Ben be made to Holy Angels School, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark, DE 19711 or the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, 2200 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806.

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