Justin Kyle Bencivengo

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of our beloved son Justin Kyle Bencivengo, 30, who succumbed to his long battle with drug addiction and died at his residence in North Carolina on September 18, 2019.

Justin was born August 17, 1989 in West Haven, CT. Showing strength, determination and excitement, he completed an intense rehab program and began to rebuild his life while living and working in the Asheville area drug free for the past 7 months before his sudden relapse last week, ending his fight.

Justin was a person who was intelligent, funny, and full of love. He felt a deep sense of compassion and empathy for not only his family and friends, but for animals, the homeless, and those who were suffering in any kind of way. He was a creative writer from a young age, and was a passionate lover of music. In his early twenties he formed Jus & Company, becoming a well known underground hip-hop artist throughout Southern CT and performing at many local clubs in the area. He formed strong bonds with his bandmates, who were like brothers to him. This time in his life brought him much joy and fulfillment. Justin was a loyal Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. He loved Talk radio, the beach, Chinese food, his Mimi’s apple pie and his Nana’s macaroni and meatballs, watching Jeopardy and chatting with his Gramps, reminiscing about his beloved Papa and often wearing his jacket for comfort, laughing and joking with his brothers, and summers with family and friends at Camp Spofford.

Justin was a 2007 graduate of West Haven High School. He attended Gateway Community College. He was employed as a Behavioral Health Tech while working in Asheville and spent part of his summer working as a camp counselor at Under One Sky Village, a nonprofit organization that builds into the lives of children in the foster care system.

Justin is survived by his loving and supportive family: parents Ken and Shanon Bencivengo, along with his three brothers; Jason (fiancée Taylor Kurtz) of Stamford, Joel Bencivengo of Hollywood, FL, and Jesse Bencivengo of West Haven. His Nana, Lucille Bencivengo, his Grampy and Mimi Jack and Barbara Knight of West Haven, and Uncle John Knight of Durham, CT. He was predeceased by his loving Papa, Pasquale Bencivengo. He is also survived by many loving cousins, great aunts and uncles, a lifetime of schoolmates, close friends, and people he came to know in the music and recovery communities.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday , September 25,2019 at 10:00 a.m., immediately followed by a visitation time with the family from 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Vertical Church located at 225 Meloy Road in West Haven. We welcome all to attend.

In honor of Justin’s life, please offer a random act of kindness to someone or consider a donation to:

Under One Sky Village Foundation, P.O. Box 18526, Asheville, NC 28814.