Benjamin J. Brescia

Benjamin Joseph Brescia

A New Yorker since his birth on Cherry Street in lower Manhattan on February 15, 1924, Benjamin J. Brescia (a.k.a. Buddy) passed away at 96 on August 2 in Port Washington, NY, where he lived since 2005. Buddy loved his family, his country, Brooklyn, and baseball. He was a person that was immediately liked by everyone.


Buddy moved to Brooklyn as a child. The Brooklyn Dodgers broke his heart in 1957 when they moved to Los Angeles. Eventually, Buddy cast his loyalty to the New York Mets in 1962 and remained a faithful, never-miss-a-game fan from his lounge chair until his last breath. Buddy also shared his love of baseball with his family, lovingly forgiving his children and grandchildren when they became NY Yankees fans.

A proud member of the Greatest Generation, Buddy served in the US Army from 1943-1946. Stationed in England, as an Ammunition Handler, he was responsible for fusing and defusing bombs, and loading them onto the planes.

After the war, Buddy married the former Anne Rita Crimi of Brooklyn and lived in Bay Ridge. He was captivated by the building of the Verrazano Bridge just a couple of blocks away. For a time, Buddy worked at a printing company in a building on Hudson Street in downtown Manhattan. Buddy retired from being a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.

Buddy is survived by his wife of 70 years, Anne Brescia of Port Washington, his two sons, Anthony R. Brescia of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl and Nicholas G. Brescia of Westbury, NY, their wives, Jayne and Joan, five grandchildren, Jessica, Nicolle, Lauren, Gregory, and Kate, and five great-grandchildren, Sienna, Paul, Dean, Elizabeth, and Brooks. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.

Buddy was much loved and will be dearly missed. He was a generous man both in spirit and in giving, Buddy supported many veteran services and other nonprofit organizations. The family respectfully suggests contributions to the Northwell Health Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Smile Train instead of flowers.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Benjamin J. Brescia, please visit our Tree Store.