Benjamin J. Patti

Benjamin “Ben” Patti passed away peacefully at his home with his loving wife of 52 years, Valerie Butler Patti by his side on Oct. 8, 2023, at the age of 75.  He was the son of the late Benjamin Patti and late Dorothy Smith Patti. 

Ben graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1967 before joining the United States Navy serving 4 years on the U.S.S. Fred T. Berry DD 858.  He served his country proudly during the Vietnam War.  After his service he became a member of the Bernardine May Legion Post 457 serving in many posts including Commander. 

Ben served the Phillipsburg Community as a volunteer fireman with the Reliance Hose Company.  He is a lifetime member with over 50 years on the department. 

He retired in 2011 from the Edna Mahon Correctional Facility working as a painter and also in the Maintenance Dept.  He was affectionally known as “Papa Smurf” by the inmates.  Prior to working for the Dept. of Corrections he worked for Keystone Packaging and Ingersoll Rand. 

Ben was a lifelong member of St. Philip & St. James Roman Catholic Church serving as an Alter Boy during his youth and most recently could be found at 9:00am Sunday Service happily greeting the members who attended the service as an usher. 

Ben was an avid NY Giants fan and enjoyed watching NASCAR.  He could be found on the golf course trying hard to play a decent round but just enjoyed having fun playing the game with his son and friends.  You could find him cheering on his granddaughters at many cheer and sporting events including the UCA National Cheerleading Championships in FL.  Ben could always be found watching M*A*S*H and Sponge Bob Square Pants nightly.  He enjoyed many trips to the Outer Banks to just bask in the beach life. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Christopher and his wife Ann, his daughter Veronica DeVoe and her husband Josh, along with his two cherished granddaughters, Ashley and Hannah DeVoe.  He is also survived by his Father and Mother In Law, H. Stanley and Patricia Butler, along with many sister in laws, brother In Laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023, from 5-8 pm at the Finegan Funeral Home at 302 Heckman Street in Phillipsburg. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 10:00 am at St. Philip & St. James Catholic Church, 430 So. Main Street, also in Phillipsburg. The interment will be at St. Philip & James Cemetery in Greenwich Township. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Karen Ann Quinlan Hopsice, 99 Sparta Road, Newton, NJ 07860.