Benjamin "Butch" Azeredo Jr.

Benjamin “Butch” Olivera Azeredo, Jr., was born in Hartford on August 5, 1945 to Benjamin O. Azeredo Sr. & Diolinda Barboza. Ben passed away on Thanksgiving morning (in true hunter’s form) November 24, 2022. Ben led a fulfilled and highly accomplished life. While growing up in Hartford he played football while attending Hartford Public High School where he graduated from in 1963. From a young age, Ben aspired to become a Frogman and achieved that by joining the United States Navy. Alongside his teammates, he conquered the BUDS class 36 training and became a proud member of Navy SEAL Team 1. Ben served for six years including tours in Vietnam and recovering astronauts in the Apollo Missions before choosing an honorable discharge. After serving his country, he used his experience to become a member of the Navy Reserves, taught scuba diving, and stayed active in the SEAL community making many visits to the bases to participate in events, reunions and be with his SEAL brothers. Ben earned a degree from CCSU, started a professional career holding various positions at Connecticut Spring & Stamping, and was awarded Salesman of the year. Eventually, Ben was recruited to CS&S’s Joint Venture YOMO Consulting where he worked for a number of years before joining ROC TPS Consulting owned by “his brother from another mother”; Rocco M. In his professional career, Ben channeled much of his SEAL training, precision, and expertise while being called upon to assist many major firearms companies to improve their firearm designs as well as their business practices. Ben was a decades-long member of Bristol Fish & Game and in almost all of his spare time Ben enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, fly tying, and archery. He was extremely talented at all of his hobbies and was often found giving encouragement and advice to adults who asked for assistance to improve themselves and their skills; but most of all Ben loved teaching children the correct ways to enjoy those hobbies. Ben began much of this with his daughter Stacy, who he taught to shoot archery like a pro and to hunt squirrels in the backyard. Ben also enjoyed spending time with the generations of Morelli’s. Ben also loved visiting his family every Wednesday night on his way to shoot bow and cook dinner with his friends at BF&G. Ben was always up for a new adventure, would lend a hand to anyone at any time, was true inspiration, a motivator by nature, and the most trustworthy/reliable best friend that everyone wanted to have in their life. If you were lucky enough, you would have been on one of their guys’ cross-country hunting excursions. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Michael. Ben leaves behind his beloved daughter Stacy Pagliaruli who if you knew Ben, you knew all about Stacy, her husband Tom who was more than just a son-in-law to Ben, and their son Rocco who brought a smile to Ben’s face every time they were in each other’s presence. Ben also leaves behind his niece Jessica and two nephews Aaron and Brett. He also leaves behind a companion of many years, Antionette, countless friends and acquaintances from all facets of his life who all will undoubtedly miss him. 

Please join us for a Celebration of Ben’s Life at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Avenue, Bristol on Saturday May 20, 2023, from 10 to 12 Noon. Ben requested that he have an official burial at sea by the US Navy in Coronado, California where he started his Navy SEAL training. To leave an online condolence please visit Ben’s memorial page at www.FunkFuneralHome.com

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