J. Benjamin Lynch Blossvale ? Utica Joseph Benjamin "Benny" Lynch, 88, of Blossvale, formerly of Utica and Little Falls, passed away Saturday, June 24, 2006. Benny was born in Little Falls, NY, on January 13, 1918, the son of William H. and Mary E. (Joyce) Lynch. He was raised and educated in Little Falls, graduating from St. Mary's and went on to Culinary School. In 1942, Benny joined the US Army, serving his country during World War II. On November 5, 1946, he married Eleanor May Pharoah in St. Patrick's Church, Utica. Eleanor passed away in 1997. Benny worked as a chef for Utica State Hospital as well as NYS Dept. of Corrections, retiring after thirty years. He was of the Roman Catholic faith. Benny took piano lessons for many years and was a lover of Big Band music- his favorites being Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. Benny was a man who took great pride in his Irish heritage. Benny is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Pamela DeCarlis, Utica, Patricia and Charles Dobson, Marcy; four grandchildren, Jaimy Sanchez, Jason and Lizza DeCarlis, Justin Dobson; and three great grandchildren, Jordan and Simone Sainsbury, and Brianna DeCarlis. Benny is predeceased by a daughter, Mary Joyce Lynch-Miller, a son, Michael Lynch, and a special aunt and uncle, Cora and Benjamin Joyce. Mr. Lynch's funeral will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 9:30 am from the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica and at 10:00 am at Historic Old St. John's Church, Utica where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Utica. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 6 ? 8 pm. Those wishing may donate to the American Lung Association in Benny's memory. Benny's family offers a special thank you to his caregivers, Robert and Gail Tobiasson of the Tobiasson Home. "Good night, my love, the tired old moon is descending. Good night, my love, my moment with you is now ending. It was so heavenly, holding you close to me. It will be heavenly to hold you again in a dream. The stars above have promised to meet us tomorrow. Till then, my love, how dreary the new day will seem. So for the present, dear, we'll have to part. Sleep tight, my love, good night, my love." --Benny Goodman