Benito C. Lagana 89. Passed away peacefully after a short illness on May 22, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was born on March 30, 1934 in Melilli, Sicily to the late Joseph and Sebastiana Lagana. He was the beloved husband of Nancy Ann Rinaldo Lagana for 64 years.

At 18 years old he came to Middletown, CT from Sicily with tailoring as a trade. He worked at Camps men's store in Middletown and at Robert Hall in Newington. He then went on to open Lagana's Clothiers, a successful men's store and tailoring shop for more than 40 years. He was very hard working and dedicated to his business and his family. Benito had a love for soccer and was involved in the Middletown Garibaldi Soccer Club from 1956 to 1958 for which he was inducted into the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame in January 2015. He was a long time member of the Italian Society of Middletown. He was also an avid fan of NASCAR and Formula One racing.

Benito leaves behind his beloved daughters, Anna Hoffman, Susan Lagana-Richards and her husband Scott, Gina Lagana, and Maria Calabro and her husband Keith. He is predeceased by his granddaughter Jennifer Hoffman. Survived by his grandchildren Christine Slater, David Hoffman, Charles, C.J., Long, Michael, Benjamin, and Sarah Calabro, Jessica Padnes, and Brittany Richards, and great grandchildren Ashley Slater and Madilyn Curtis. He is survived by his brother Ugo Lagana, and his sisters Ottavia Scianna and Flavia Didato. He is predeceased by his brothers Salvatore and Sebastian Lagana, and his sisters Maria Germano, Bianca Tringali and Antoinette Pitruzzello.

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 on Friday May 26, 2023 at D'Angelo Funeral Home, 22 South Main St, Middletown, CT. A Catholic mass will be held at 10 am Saturday, May 27, 2023 at St. Mary's Church, 45 Freestone Ave., Portland with burial following at The Swedish Cemetery, 184 William St, Portland, Ct. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations are made to St. Mary's Church in Portland, CT or the Portland Police Department.

Published by Hartford Courant on May 25, 2023.