Benjamin J. Cosenza

Benjamin J. Cosenza, 88 of Storrs, CT, died on March 13, 2015. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, Anna Carmella Cosenza; children and partners, Anthony and Cynthia Cosenza, John Cosenza and Deb Raita, Trish and Joseph Wettlaufer, and Laurie Cosenza; grandchildren, Matthew and Andrea Cosenza, Melanie Wettlaufer, Samantha Cosenza, Joseph N. Wettlaufer, and two great grandchildren Benedict and Anastasia Cosenza. He was a Navy combat veteran in WWII serving in the Pacific theater. After the war, he pitched briefly for a minor league baseball team in Rocky Mount, NC using the alias "Lefty Coe". He was a PhD microbiologist, and a tenured university professor at both Southern Connecticut State College and the University of Connecticut. He did post graduate work at Cornell University. The bacterial genus Cosenzae is named after him. He owned and operated a biochemical analytical laboratory, was a master gardener, beekeeper, organic winemaker and sports enthusiast. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed. A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel 46 N. Eagleville Rd. Storrs, on March 28, 2015 at 2:00pm. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America in his name. For an online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .