Benjamin Carl Iannotta

Hudson, MA
Benjamin Carl Iannotta, a former marketing executive who raised four children in Stow with his wife Maxine, died on Jan. 20 at Life Care Center of Acton. He was 80.

After Maxine's death in 2000, Ben relocated to Hudson from the family home on Red Acre Rd.

Ben was uplifted in retirement by his companion of 11 years, Shirley O'Connell. Ben died supported by Shirley's loving comfort and surrounded by his children, Leslie Cronin of Marlborough; Margie Finlan of Amston, Connecticut; Ben Iannotta of Springfield, Virginia and Bonnie Rundlett of Hudson.

Ben formed a close bond with Shirley's children, Susan Drummey of Hudson; Karin Lieberman of Newton; Nan Maley of North Grafton; and Dan O'Connell of Centennial, Colorado.

Ben was an avid outdoorsman and fly fisherman, making frequent trips to the Miramichi River in New Brunswick, Canada, where he formed lifelong friendships.

Ben was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, on March 6, 1934, to Benjamin and Marguerite Iannotta. He graduated from Plainfield High School in 1952 and attended Amherst College in Massachusetts. He was a standout baseball pitcher and football player, graduating in 1956. He married Maxine in 1957, and served in the U.S. Army for several years, specializing in outdoor survival training.

Ben entered private industry after his Army service. In 1974, he moved the family from Martinsville, New Jersey, to Stow, joining business colleagues at Display Components Inc., a small company in Littleton. As vice president of marketing for DISCOM, Ben was instrumental in the company's expansion to a new manufacturing site in Westford. DISCOM made parts for fine resolution computer displays used by the medical industry and military. Early in his retirement, Ben remained active in the business world as a consultant to Orwin Associates of Amityville, N.Y.

Ben is survived by seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A memorial service and celebration of Ben's life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24th at 1:00 p.m. in the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc. 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA 01749 (www.tighehamilton.com). Committal services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ben may be made to: American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

---