Ben Accurso, 82, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021, with his family by his side.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2021, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 29, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan, with burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Ben was born on September 4, 1938, in Bryan, Texas, the son of Willie and Laura (Bono) Accurso.
He grew up on a farm in the Brazos Bottom near Tunis, Texas, where he helped his family with all the chores, of farming, raising cattle, and picking cotton.
He went to Caldwell High School and graduated.
His family moved to town in Bryan after their home burned down.
He later met the love of his life, Elizabeth, and they married and started a family.
He started his main career at a machine shop in Bryan, and then went to Lilly Ice Cream in Bryan, Texas, until they closed.
He also worked at Blue Bell Ice Cream in Brenham.
He later opened his own business, Ben’s Washateria, in Bryan.
He later opened up Ben’s BBQ at San Jacinto/ Sims in Bryan, where he was known for some of the tastiest barbecue around.
It was there where he made tons of friends and worked with the love of his life, Elizabeth, his son, Ben, and his daughter-in-law, Becky. In a BBQ Brisket box, his precious grandson, Ben Accurso III (Trey), would be greeted by the aroma of Ben’s BBQ and to be shown off as much as possible. To this day, his Paw Paw would be proud of how he can barbecue like him.
He later retired and then closed the washateria followed by the barbecue business due to his wife’s health and moved back to his farm in the Brazos Bottom. His wife passed some years later.
He then spent the years working some for Paul Equipment.
The other days he enjoyed riding down the country roads, stopping and having great conversations with farmers, friends, and family.
He was a local for breakfast at Whataburger where he met daily for years and also at the Surrey Inn in Caldwell, Four Corners Store, where he would bring in doughnuts and have great fellowship at all of these places with many friends.
Ben also loved and had to have his daily newspaper to read; he cared about his lotto numbers, his daily horoscope and the obituaries. He made a point daily to save them and give them to his family often joking his name was not in there so he was still okay! He would go as far as saving all the papers when his family was out of town and greet them with a stack when they returned.
Ben loved to tinker around the barn, and work on things; he was very smart when it came to fixing something on the farm or a washer or dryer.
Ben loved the family dogs and gave them special treatment when they came around him. Often you would be talking to him and he would drop the phone because he said Roscoe (Jack Russell Terrier) was knocking on his door and he said he needed to let him in.
Ben did not cook much but was known to produce the best ham and chocolate pie during the holidays. On winter days, you could find him making soup macaroni an Italian family favorite. He also enjoyed eating his share of spaghetti, Cheetos and Blue Bell Ice Cream and cookies.
He relished the chance to spend time with his family and grandson (whom he would move mountains for).
He enjoyed taking trips with his family to Colorado and Tennessee and the longest trip to New Jersey.
He was often in the back seat with his grandson, Trey, on his lap; when he arrived to the destination he often had a new hairdo courtesy of Trey!
Family meant everything to Ben. He would do anything to help and be there if needed for those he loved. Ben’s heart was as big as Texas.
Ben will always be remembered as loving to joke around, with his family members and giving them a hard time every step of the way all out of love.
The family wishes to express sincere thanks and gratitude for the great care given to Ben at Copperas Hollow Nursing in Caldwell where Ben spent the last six years fighting his battle with Alzheimer’s.
A special thanks to Encompass Hospice for great care and comfort in Ben’s last months.
Ben is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Ben Willie Accurso Jr. and wife, Becky, of Caldwell, Texas; his grandson, Ben Accurso III (Trey) and his wife, Sarah, of Caldwell; his great-grandson, Brody Wayne; his only sister, Bessie (Accurso) McBee and husband, Dr. James Terry, of La Vernia, Texas, formerly of Caldwell, Texas; and one niece, Lisa Gaulke and husband, Robert, and their children, Seth, Jeremiah, Thad, Wei Wei.
Arrangements by Memorial Funeral Chapel Bryan and College Station.