from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Emil (Bennie) Benvenuto, 80, of Greenwich, Conn., died Oct. 4, 2011, at the Stamford Hospital.

He was born in Greenwich, Conn., on June 26, 1931, to the late Rocco and Angelina (Bruno) Benvenuto and was was educated in the Greenwich School System. He served in the United States Army at Fort Lee, Va., from 1952-1954.

As an active member of his community, Mr. Benvenuto was elected to serve in the Connecticut State Legislature since 1977. He was also a ranking member of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee and the Executive and Legislative Nominating Committee and the Regulations Review Committee. He co-chaired the committee which selected Connecticut’s first Inspector General and co-sponsored the CT Lemon Law. He helped sponsor legislation which enabled the town of Greenwich to purchase the Cos Cob Power Plant and the Mianus Pond. He was a member of district 12 Town Meeting and served on the Republican Town Committee.

He was the owner of Benvenuto Real Estate Investment Co., established in 1965. He sold Bennie Sez Liquor Mart in 1988 after 33 years of sole ownership.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, American Legion, American Legislative Exchange Council, National Conference of Insurance Legislators, Greenwich Council on Youth and Drugs, and a board member of the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club.

Mr. Benvenuto was appointed to the Small Business Advisory Council by the White House and in 1988 he was the recipient of the Greenwich Conservation Commissions “Conservation Person of the Year.”

His passion for breeding and racing his Standardbreds gave him great pleasure throughout the years. The most notable were Dauntless Bunny, John Paul’s Legacy and Ted’s Girl.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marion Robertson; sister, Rita (Albert) Robustelli; brother, Anthony (Claudette); stepchildren, William (Wanda) Robertson, Sheldon Robertson and Sarah Robertson; three stepgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Martinelli; and a brother, Frank.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine of Siena Church, 4 Riverside Ave., Riverside, CT 06878 or to a charity of your choice.