Decorated World War II Veteran Granted Mayor’s Proclamation on 100th Birthday

Decorated World War II Veteran Granted Mayor’s Proclamation on 100th Birthday

MARLBORO, NJ— All who attended SLR Marlboro resident and veteran Bernard “Ben” Indelicato’s 100th birthday celebration on Monday, August 5th were truly in the presence of selflessness and grace. Surrounded by family, friends, fellow residents, and distinguished members of the Marlboro Township Council and Veterans of Foreign Wars Department (VFW), Ben became a centenarian in style. 

When he was just 19 years old, Ben enlisted in the United States Army as a Private First Class to serve in the South Pacific during World War II. He served for three years, earning four medals, including the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal, and a Philippines Liberation Ribbon. Ben married his wife, Sina, in 1948, and the couple share three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

When he left the service in 1946 as a decorated veteran, Ben never stopped working hard. He started a business with his brother-in-law, and the two of them ran a fish store, bringing in the day’s catch at dawn and making sales until dusk. 

Ben’s family is extremely proud of how he worked tirelessly to provide for them and made a name for himself not just as a soldier but as a father, grandfather, and fearless leader. 

At the celebration, Marlboro Township Council Vice President Michael Milman and Councilman Juned Qazi presented Ben with a proclamation on behalf of the Mayor.

“I, Jonathan L. Hornik, Mayor of the Township of Marlboro, am honored to recognize Ben Indelicato on the occasion of his 100th Birthday, and so declare the 5th day of August in the year 2024 as Ben Indelicato Day, within the boundaries of Marlboro Township,” reads the proclamation. 

Ben also received an apostolic blessing from the delegation of Pope Francis, which is a document given out on special occasions.

Ben, SLR Marlboro Resident with granddaughter
Ben displays the apostolic blessing granted by Pope Francis with granddaughter Lauren Mulligan beside him

Amidst all of the joy and pride surrounding Ben’s remarkable accomplishments as a veteran and family man, he repeated, “I couldn’t have done it without my wife.” Ben and Sina will celebrate their 76th wedding anniversary in November– yet another milestone for the family. 

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SLR Marlboro offers local seniors service-enriched Assisted Living and a state-of-the-art Compass Memory Support Neighborhood® featuring specialized programming for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Learn more online at www.SLRMarlboro.com.

Mayor Proclamation at SLR Marlboro
Pictured from left to right: Luddie Austin, VFW Department Commander; Brian Green, VFW Chief of Staff; Ben Indelicato (front); Michael Milman, Marlboro Township Council Vice President; and Juned Qazi, Marlboro Township Councilman
Resident, Ben Indelicato and wife at SLR Marlboro
Ben (front left) and his wife, Sina (front right) with their children and grandchildren
Ben with SLR Marlboro EnrichedLIFE Director
Ben with SLR Marlboro’s EnrichedLIFE Director, Monique Dorian-Gomez