Benny Michael Mazzola

Benny Michael Mazzola, 75, of Sulphur, Louisiana, passed away on November 12, 2019, at his home in Sulphur.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2019, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange, Texas. Officiating will be Father Joseph Daleo. Burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Orange.

Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 9:00 a.m., with a recitation of the Rosary at 9:30 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Born in Orange, Texas, on September 10, 1944, he was the son of Joseph John Mazzola, Sr. and Bessie (Shuff) Mazzola. Benny was an insurance agent for American National for many years. He was a significant participant in the founding and development of Optimist Village and was a member of the Noon Optimist Club. He was a devoted lifetime member of the NRA. Benny was a very accomplished man and had a huge impact on his community through his charity and kindness. He was a loving and giving person who donated much of his time and musical abilities to Veteran’s Homes, Nursing Homes, and Retirement Homes. Although he exuded greatness, he remained a very humble man. The most important thing in Benny’s life was his family, including his dachshunds who he adored. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bessie Mazzola.

Benny is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Suzanne Hendricks Mazzola; daughters, Beverly S. Mazzola Hooks and husband Randy, of Sulphur, LA, Angela Mazzola Burleigh and husband John, of Groves, and Caroline Hennigan and husband Mike, of Orange; grandchildren, Ryant W. Anderson and fiancée, Christie, of Gonzales, LA, Ragan W. Anderson-Hennigan and wife Emily, of Summerville, SC, Alaina Hennigan, of Blacksburg, VA, John Randall Hooks, of Sulphur, LA, and Jenna Hooks, of Sulphur, LA; and great-grandchildren, Sawyer Slocum, of Gonzales, LA, and Elizabeth “Lily” Rose Anderson-Hennigan, of Summerville, SC; along with numerous other loving family and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Doug Pahnke, Jimmy Molley, Chris Hendricks, Ryant Anderson, Ragan Anderson-Hennigan, and John Randall Hooks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.