Raymond ‘Benny’ Ciferno; 96; of Belle Vernon (Rostraver Township); beloved husband; father; grandfather; great-grandfather and friend; passed away Saturday; Sept. 6; 2008; at 12:30 p.m. at The Residence at Hilltop in Carroll Township with his family by his side. He was born May 20; 1912; in Warren; Ohio; a son of the late Salvatore and Teresa Lepore Ciferno. As a young man; Raymond worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Yosemite National Park and the surrounding mountain range. He built many of the trails used today by hikers and campers in Yosemite. Upon returning to Warren; Ohio; he began his career in the steel industry at the Thomas Steel Mill. Mr. Ciferno was promoted to supervisor in 1953 and was part of the opening of the new Allenport plant in Allenport. He remained there until his retirement in 1978. He joined Ciferno Cement Contracting with his sons and grandsons; performing various labor duties. Mr. Ciferno was active for many years with Belle Vernon American Legion Post No. 659. He was an avid gardener; hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed playing bocce and; until a few years ago; continued to bowl in a league. His main focus every year; as well as this year; was his large vegetable garden he shared with family and friends. Over the years; Mr. Ciferno also enjoyed music and ballroom dancing to the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey orchestras at the Idora Park and Conneaut Lake ballrooms. His family will fondly remember summer vacations at Geneva on the Lake in Geneva; Ohio. He will be missed by his wife of 68 years; Jennie Paul Ciferno; his children; Raymond and Jeffrey Ciferno; Joseph and Janet Ciferno; of Fayette City; Alexis and Gary Fell of Avon Lake; Ohio; Paula and Anthony Gelotti; of Houston; Texas; and Eugene Ciferno; of Ruffsdale; 11 grandchildren; Raymond and wife Jill; Natalie Tease and husband Michael; Joseph; John and wife Sharon; Jared and wife Leslie; Jason and wife Michelle; Erin Hayes and wife Marne; William Hayes; Megan Old and husband Jason; Matthew Gelotti and wife Amy; and Bryan Gelotti; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by two brothers; Lucian and Samuel Ciferno; and two sisters; Lillian Gesue and Edith Chryst. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-6183). A Prayer service will be held Thursday; Sept. 11; at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon; with the Rev. Charles Esposito as celebrant. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian Parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Raymond Ciferno on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. Condolences accepted for the family at the funeral home Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com