Benjamin J Donzella

Benjamin J Donzella, 83, passed away on 9/20/25 in Syracuse NY in the arms of his loving wife and daughter. Cancer took him quickly, but not before he could share love and memories with his dearest friends and family.

Ben served in the Air Force, fueling aircraft during the Bay of Pigs. Stationed in Bangor ME, he met the red headed love of his life. He and Red had a whirlwind romance, and when discharged, he sent cash and a note, “Get here as soon as you can.” They eloped, and soon the couple was a trio with the birth of their daughter, Bonny.

Ben worked as a Millwright at GM, and on the GI bill took a sabbatical to earn a degree at OCC. Prior to retirement, he and Red established Donzella Photo, and were proud to shoot and print wedding albums, always fully booked with only word-of-mouth for advertising. They wore tuxedos in respect for the families they served.

Ben was an athlete and an artist. He reserved his creative photography for friends and family, filling our walls with flowers, landscapes, and portraits. He left behind a digital library documenting our lives. He was a weightlifter; indeed, his first vehicle out of the service was a hearse, practical for its ability to carry home his weights! He was a downhill skier and a cyclist. In the late 1970s, he rode his Schwinn Varsity from the southern to northern tip of Vermont in two days. In jean shorts! In the early 1980s, he rode his Schwinn Le Tour from Syracuse to Denver solo unsupported in 3 weeks (~1600 miles). And always, he tinkered, creating machines and devices out of thin air, spare parts, and ingenuity.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Salvatore Donzella & Mary (DeSalvo) Donzella, and brothers, Samuel and Arthur, as well as his dear Aunt Frances and Uncle John. He will remain loved and remembered by his wife Red (Wayneta Thornton) Donzella, and his daughter Bonny Donzella & her love Terry Kinney. He will be dearly missed by his band of brothers, the FUBARs.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that you share an act of kindness in Ben’s honor.

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