Benny Solitro was born on September 7, 1930 in Detroit to Pietro and Giovanna Solitro (nee Monteleone). He grew up in Detroit and graduated from Denby High School in 1948. Afterward, he joined the Air National Guard and later moved to the Air Force. Through a fortunate introduction by his uncle to Anita Mary Santoro, he met his future wife. They were engaged two years and married on May 9, 1953. The family of two expanded to five with the birth of their children, Peter, James and Joanne. They first lived in Eastpointe and later moved to Warren.
A Little Rascals skit inspired Benny to try his hand at printing. He started at 14 working in a print shop in Detroit and later joined Safran Printing where he retired at age 52. Not one to sit around, Benny took over his father's Christmas tree farm, Solitro Tree Farm, in Kalkaska, Michigan. There 265 acres of evergreens grew, waiting their turn to be cut down, sold and wound up decorated and surrounded by wrapped gifts in someone's living room.
After Benny closed the tree business, he moved on to the casinos. His favorite spots were Turtle Creek in Williamsburg, Michigan and Ceasar's Casino in Windsor. While he played the slots and even won a few jackpots, playing "Let it Ride" and 3-card poker gave him a real chance over the House to win. He even convinced Anita to become his partner in crime while they played the One-Arm Bandits.
Above all, Benny enjoyed his family and they enjoyed him.
Benny is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Anna and his three children, Peter (Cynthia), James (Charlotte) and Joanne (Frank) Spada; his beloved grandchildren, Peter, Benny, Ben, Anita, Dale, Mary Ann, Carla and Anthony and his three great-granchildren. He is also survived by his dear brother, Anthony (Suna) Solitro, dear brother-in-law of Angie (Emil) Fasse and many nieces and nephews.
A Little Rascals skit inspired Benny to try his hand at printing. He started at 14 working in a print shop in Detroit and later joined Safran Printing where he retired at age 52. Not one to sit around, Benny took over his father's Christmas tree farm, Solitro Tree Farm, in Kalkaska, Michigan. There 265 acres of evergreens grew, waiting their turn to be cut down, sold and wound up decorated and surrounded by wrapped gifts in someone's living room.
After Benny closed the tree business, he moved on to the casinos. His favorite spots were Turtle Creek in Williamsburg, Michigan and Ceasar's Casino in Windsor. While he played the slots and even won a few jackpots, playing "Let it Ride" and 3-card poker gave him a real chance over the House to win. He even convinced Anita to become his partner in crime while they played the One-Arm Bandits.
Above all, Benny enjoyed his family and they enjoyed him.
Benny is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Anna and his three children, Peter (Cynthia), James (Charlotte) and Joanne (Frank) Spada; his beloved grandchildren, Peter, Benny, Ben, Anita, Dale, Mary Ann, Carla and Anthony and his three great-granchildren. He is also survived by his dear brother, Anthony (Suna) Solitro, dear brother-in-law of Angie (Emil) Fasse and many nieces and nephews.
Benny Solitro was born on September 7, 1930 in Detroit to Pietro and Giovanna Solitro (nee Monteleone). He grew up in Detroit and graduated from Denby High School in 1948. Afterward, he joined the Air National Guard and later moved to the Air Force. Through a fortunate introduction by his uncle to Anita Mary Santoro, he met his future wife. They were engaged two years and married on May 9, 1953. The family of two expanded to five with the birth of their children, Peter, James and Joanne. They first lived in Eastpointe and later moved to Warren.
A Little Rascals skit inspired Benny to try his hand at printing. He started at 14 working in a print shop in Detroit and later joined Safran Printing where he retired at age 52. Not one to sit around, Benny took over his father's Christmas tree farm, Solitro Tree Farm, in Kalkaska, Michigan. There 265 acres of evergreens grew, waiting their turn to be cut down, sold and wound up decorated and surrounded by wrapped gifts in someone's living room.
After Benny closed the tree business, he moved on to the casinos. His favorite spots were Turtle Creek in Williamsburg, Michigan and Ceasar's Casino in Windsor. While he played the slots and even won a few jackpots, playing "Let it Ride" and 3-card poker gave him a real chance over the House to win. He even convinced Anita to become his partner in crime while they played the One-Arm Bandits.
Above all, Benny enjoyed his family and they enjoyed him.
Benny is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Anna and his three children, Peter (Cynthia), James (Charlotte) and Joanne (Frank) Spada; his beloved grandchildren, Peter, Benny, Ben, Anita, Dale, Mary Ann, Carla and Anthony and his three great-granchildren. He is also survived by his dear brother, Anthony (Suna) Solitro, dear brother-in-law of Angie (Emil) Fasse and many nieces and nephews.
A Little Rascals skit inspired Benny to try his hand at printing. He started at 14 working in a print shop in Detroit and later joined Safran Printing where he retired at age 52. Not one to sit around, Benny took over his father's Christmas tree farm, Solitro Tree Farm, in Kalkaska, Michigan. There 265 acres of evergreens grew, waiting their turn to be cut down, sold and wound up decorated and surrounded by wrapped gifts in someone's living room.
After Benny closed the tree business, he moved on to the casinos. His favorite spots were Turtle Creek in Williamsburg, Michigan and Ceasar's Casino in Windsor. While he played the slots and even won a few jackpots, playing "Let it Ride" and 3-card poker gave him a real chance over the House to win. He even convinced Anita to become his partner in crime while they played the One-Arm Bandits.
Above all, Benny enjoyed his family and they enjoyed him.
Benny is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Anna and his three children, Peter (Cynthia), James (Charlotte) and Joanne (Frank) Spada; his beloved grandchildren, Peter, Benny, Ben, Anita, Dale, Mary Ann, Carla and Anthony and his three great-granchildren. He is also survived by his dear brother, Anthony (Suna) Solitro, dear brother-in-law of Angie (Emil) Fasse and many nieces and nephews.
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