Leuzzi, Ben

Roland Benjamin Leuzzi, of Verona, New Jersey, lovingly known as “Ben”, made the corner of Bloomfield and Lakeside Avenues in Verona the center of North Jersey’s Hockey World for five decades.  Ben passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at the age of 81. Ben loved hockey and the community and was loved by all whose lives he touched!

Born at Bloomfield Private Hospital to Roland D. and Elsie (Ambrosini) Leuzzi in 1939, Ben was baptized at The Italian Presbyterian Mission Church of East Orange under Reverend Joseph Salvaggio and grew up in North Caldwell. A late general draftsman, Ben served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1965 stationed at Fort Bragg, NC.  Ben settled in Verona as a resident in 1970 after marrying the love of his life, Patricia Bienert, in May of 1968 and together they raised their son, Michael, in a close-knit neighborhood of the town they loved.

After stints in the clothing business and as a stockbroker, Ben had a 48 year career as owner of Ben’s Verona Sports Center. Here are some stories family and friends would like to share; “He catered to all sports, but hockey was his first love,” says Joe…