Blase Benjamin (Ben) Chiappa, 45, Deep River

Blase Benjamin (Ben) Chiappa, 45, of Deep River, died on July 20 after a valiant and courageous fight with cancer.  Ben was the husband of Andrea Chiappa and the son of Theresa and Richard Chiappa of Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Ben and Andrea were childhood sweethearts. Ben’s wife and his children, Chelsea Rose, Victoria Noel, and Christopher John Peter, were blessed to have the most amazing man touch their lives.  He will forever be in their hearts and souls.

Ben grew up in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, and had lived in Connecticut for the past 16 years.  He was employed by Brustolon Buick, GMC in Mystic and was previously employed at Harbor Motors in Old Saybrook.  A master auto technician for GMC, he had also taught automotive principles at Porter and Chester in Branford. 

Ben loved motorcycles, drag racing, and working on missions.  He had led groups of teens on missions, from New York City to New Orleans.  Recently, Ben was part of the rebuilding in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and had hoped to be there when the last house was fixed.

Ben was also actively involved in the Deep River Congregational Church, serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. Ben lived by the philosophy that you never looked down on a man unless you were helping him up. His legacy will be forever felt and carried on by his family, friends and church. He will be missed by all and carried in the hearts of his family and friends forever.

Besides his wife, parents, and children, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Zsuzsa Simandy of Guilford; three sisters, Margaret, Louise, Regina; and his sister by marriage and love, Enika Simandy. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and beloved nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by 42 children with whom he had worked as a youth leader; he loved them like his own.  Besides his family, he will be missed by his church and community and friends.

Memorial services will be held on July 26 at noon at the Deep River Congregational Church, Church St., Deep River, followed by a picnic reception across the street at the Stone House, Deep River. Casual attire, no suits or dark colors.  All motorcycles are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations for his children may be made to Ben's Light Fund, Essex Savings Bank, Essex, CT 06426.