Benjamin Podurgiel III

New Port Richey, Fla. — Dr. Benjamin Joseph Podurgiel III, D.M.D., 54, of New Port Richey, formerly of Norwich, passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017.

He was born in Alexandria, La., son of Dr. Benjamin Joseph Podurgiel Jr. and Suzanne (Wood) Podurgiel. Ben was raised in Norwich with his siblings, Joseph, Peter and Suzanne. He attended St. Bernard High School in Uncasville, earned a bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University, and graduated from University of Connecticut Dental School, where he obtained his dental degree. Ben was a smart, funny and loving father who was an inventor at heart and a guitarist in his soul. Ben also loved to pour his creativity into the culinary arts.

Ben was predeceased by his son, Benjamin J. Podurgiel IV; and his wife, Dr. Nancy Woodland Podurgiel.

He leaves behind his daughter, Tegan Di Podurgiel; and son, Benjamin Joseph Podurgiel V.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in New Port Richey, Fla. Inurnment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ben’s memory may be addressed to the Haitian Health Foundation, 97 Sherman St., Norwich, CT 06360.