Benjamin V. Pano

Benjamin Vasil Pano, 95, passed away peacefully at his home of almost 68 years in Watertown on February 11, 2025, following a life well-lived. He was the loving husband of Helen (Nicholas) Pano, with whom he shared almost 70 years of marriage.

Pandy, his given name, was born in the West End of Boston on June 13, 1929, to Albanian immigrants, Vasil and Gliqiria Pano, of Belmont and formerly of Treskë, Albania, a founding family of the first Albanian Orthodox community here in the United States. Ben was the last living of three children, predeceased by his older brother, Peter, and sister, Virginia. Ben started from humble beginnings, but no matter how much professional and personal success came his way, his deeply rooted humility never wavered. He graduated from the Boston Trade High School for Boys before self-funding his collegiate education at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Ben went on to serve in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before embarking on a long and accomplished career as a petrochemical engineer in the oil and natural gas business. From the Permian Basin in Texas to the Persian Gulf in Saudi Arabia, his career with Stone & Webster, Badger Engineering and later Advanced Engineering Associates, the firm he co-founded, allowed him to see the world during a time of great geopolitical turmoil.

Despite the countless customs stamps he amassed during his travels, Ben was most at home at the head of his dining room table surrounded by his family and friends. Over a leg of lamb, he loved conversation, effortlessly switching from English to his native Albanian depending on the company. When you spoke to Ben, you had his undivided attention, and his warmth and compassion radiated from his smile and hugs.

Ben is survived by his wife, Helen, and his three daughters, Nancy Baccari and her husband, Luigi, Pamela Doherty and her husband, William, and Carolyn Vancini and her husband, Kenneth. He was blessed with seven grandchildren (Amy, Benjamin, Meredith, Andrew, Sarah, Mark and Liam), nine great-grandchildren (Paige, Daniel, Ciaran, Maeve, Fiona, Evelyn, Ella, Madeline and Matthew) and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Ben was the son-in-law of the late Naum “Nuchi” and Magdalina Nicholas of Belmont and formerly of Korçe and Katundi, Albania, respectively.

Ben was also a Master Freemason and member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

While no man’s life can be summed up in mere paragraphs, Ben, Dad, Grandpa and the many other titles he held leaves behind a lifetime of important lessons and fond memories that we will carry forward in his honor. Calling hours will be held on Monday, February 17 at Brown & Hickey Funeral Home, 36 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA 02478, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. At the request of the family, funeral services will be private. Those who wish to express sympathy should consider donating in his memory to St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral, 523 East Broadway, South Boston, Massachusetts 02127.

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