NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Monsignor Benjamin J. Franzinelli, KHS, 94, of Las Vegas died Thursday, May 26, 2016. 

He was born July 7, 1921, in North Adams. Msgr. Franzinelli was ordained to the Priesthood May 31, 1952. His first assignments were in North Carolina and New York City. In 1961, Father Franzinelli transferred to Las Vegas and served at Saint Joan of Arc, Our Lady of Las Vegas, and Saint Christopher parishes. In 1968, he was named pastor of Saint James parish, and in 1972, served on the Nevada State Board of Education. 

In 1975, Father Ben became the founding pastor of Holy Family parish, Las Vegas. During his pastorate, he built two churches and founded the Marian Information Center. In 1994, he was named a Domestic Prelate with the title Monsignor. In 2004, he was inducted into the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. 

Following his retirement in 1996, Msgr. Ben continued to serve at Holy Family parish, celebrating Mass and hearing confessions, until this very month, when his health became frail.  

The oldest of three children born to Joseph Franzinelli and Gisela Scaia, Msgr. Franzinelli is survived by numerous cousins and his devoted “holy family” in Las Vegas.  

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Monsignor Franzinelli will be celebrated Thursday, June 2, 2016, at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church.  Burial will follow in Southview cemetery.

A calling hour will be held Thursday morning from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapel, 74 Marshall St., North Adams. 

Msgr. Ben had as a special love his former “parishioners,” the Carmelite Nuns of the Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Donations in memory of Msgr. Ben Franzinelli may be made to Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, 9300 W. Agnew Road, Valparaiso, NE, 68065.