Benjamin Joseph Vezzetti, age 82 of Wayland, died Friday morning, Jan. 19.

He was born Oct. 1, 1941, in Ontonagon, MI, the son of Egedio A. and Margaret G. (O’Connell) Vezzetti of Greenland, MI. Ben graduated from Mass City High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army at 17 years old, served for two years and was honorably discharged.

He was a foreman for the concrete road construction firms of Jos. D. Bonness Co. and later James Cape & Sons Co. of Racine, WI, for many years, traveling to sites in Wisconsin, Missouri and numerous other areas around the midwest.

Ben adored spending time with his grandchildren. If he wasn’t with them, he was showing off pictures of them. They enjoyed playing at parks, going on walks, and there was always a game of wiffle ball going on somewhere, as well as sledding, fort building and snowmobiling.

He loved all holidays and Christmas was extra special with all the Vezzettis gathering at the family homestead. The annual football game was the highlight of the party. He was an avid sports fan with the Green Bay Packers being his favorite team.

Ben is survived by his children, Maria (Mark II) Musgrave and Benjamin E. (Mary) Vezzetti; seven grandchildren Mark III, Josephine and Samuel Musgrave, Vincent, Isla, Vivian and Isaac Vezzetti; two brothers Daniel (Debbie) and Anthony; three sisters Mary “Cassie” Vezzetti, Roberta (Mike) Maki, and Margaret “Peggy” Cleary; nieces and nephews, whom he taught to drive on the North Firesteel Road. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Judy Vezzetti, as well as many relatives and friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Richard Cleary.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, with a Rosary at 3 p.m., at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, Wayland. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, January 29 at St. Therese Catholic Church, Wayland. Luncheon will follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Hilliards.

Ben will be returned home to the U.P. with visitation from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb 16, with a Rosary at 3 p.m. in Ontonagon at Cane Funeral Home. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockland, MI. Family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Luncheon will follow at Holy Family Catholic Church, Ontonagon. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Greenland, at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the North Country Snowmobile Club or the Greenland 4th of July Celebration.