Benjamin LaManna aka Benny Troy, Recording Artist, Entertainer, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 17, 2018. Benny was born in Newark, New Jersey on February 17, 1947. He lived in Elizabeth NJ, before moving to Roselle Park, NJ, settling in Union, NJ. Visitation and Service will take place on Tuesday, May 22, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Mastapeter Funeral Home, 400 Faitoute Ave, Roselle Park, NJ. Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, May 23 at 10:00 am, in the Mastapeter Funeral Home, 400 Faitoute Ave., Roselle Park. Please be at the funeral home 9;00am, with Interment to follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery, 53 Inman Ave, Colonia, NJ. Benny Troy leaves behind his devoted and loving wife, Patricia Massaro LaManna, his loving and adored children, Anthony LaManna and his wife, Valerie, Brittany Starr LaManna and her loving fiancé, Kyle Kiss, his wonderful loving sisters and brother-in-laws. Geraldine LaManna Caruso and husband Danny, Vera Ann LaManna Evans and husband Joe. Benny also leaves behind his adored grandchildren, who called him Pop-pop. Gianna, AJ, Santino and Sophia. His nieces and nephews, Dan Caruso, Lori Caruso, Rena Evans Mirza, husband Michael Mirza and Benjamin Evans. His loving Aunts, Louise Tavares and Antoinette Gregson and many loving cousins. Benny was predeceased by his beloved parents, Anthony and Bridget (Mossucco) LaManna.

Benny Troy’s love and passion was singing, playing his guitar, piano and writing songs by the age of 11 years old. Recording his first song at age 13, titled “Three Little Stars” Music was in his blood. He knew at that age where he wanted to be and that was performing on stage, writing songs and recording records. In his private life, he was a homebody. He loved being home with his family when he was not working the club scene with gigs that took him from NJ to NY, PA, MA and so many other states in between. His first group at 16 years old was the Revell’s, consisting of Benny and his high school friends, Frank Sicoli and Tommy Orsini. They recorded their first professional record, in 1965 “Love Walked In” and “Let It Please Be Me” They were soon signed to R.S.V.P Records, a subsidiary of the Red Bird label. By age 18, Benny had an eight piece R&B band that worked the entire state of NJ and New York City. While working at a club in NJ, Joey Dee and the Starlighter’s were on the same bill with Benny. Joey loved Benny’s vocals and performance so much that he sent his manager over to Benny, offering him the gig as a Starlighter singing backup vocals with Dave Brigati and his brother Eddie. Benny jumped at the opportunity and traveled, performing as a Starlighter. After a year and a half with Joey Dee, Benny wanted to be on his own again. He formed a band called Benny Troy and the Maze. During that period, Benny recorded his second song titled “I Don’t Know You Anymore” , written by Dave Appell. That song brought Benny a recording contract with 20th Century Fox Records. It became a favorite in many countries around the world.



In 1974 he met musician/song writer by the name of Billy Terrell, they became quick friends. Billy who already had success as a writer/producer secured a recording contract for Benny with De-Lite Records. They loved Benny’s vocals and offered him an album deal. The album titled Tearin Me To Pieces. Off that album came two top 20 charted Billboard hits, “I’ve Always Had You” which climbed the charts quickly and “I Wanna Give You Tomorrow” which became an underground hit on the east coast with New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia’s disco clubs. Also during this time period Benny was signed to a New York City Jingles company. Benny also had a string of hit jingles running on TV and Radio. Just a few of his hit Jingles were “This Bud’s For You, Schlitz Beer, Bohemian Beer, John Hancock Life Insurance, State Farm Insurance, Winston and Marlboro Cigarettes, American Airlines, Emirates Airlines, United Airlines, Chevy Pickup and too many more to mention.

In 1997 Benny was signed along with a young, unknown singer (at the time) Christina Aguilera, to one of his cousin Michael and Vinnie’s Independent record labels. In 2000, Benny recorded a song called “I’m Never Gonna Say Goodbye” written by Artie Butler, under his cousins label, distributed by Art Kass’s Kama Sutra label. In 2005, Benny always told the story how she, his cousin Vinnie happened upon the song “I Wanna Give You Tomorrow” on YouTube, seeing how many thousands (today into the millions collectively) of hits it received and still till this day receives on YouTube, As Vinnie and Benny began to explore it more, little did they know that I Wanna Give You Tomorrow had become a world wide hit song, being referred to in each country as their National Anthem. Then they come to find out through radio stations world wide and record scans how many records were sold, played on radio along with how many fans he has world wide. Benny had the pure pleasure of doing several tours of the UK, from the North to the South and in between. Benny loved performing at intimate Meet & Greets, up and down the UK, having dinner with his fans and performing three songs at each Meet & Greet. As well as playing the club circuit throughout the UK. He loved performing at the well known prestigious Pontins, Prestatyn, in England for three years, planning on a return this year. Benny always wanted to keep giving his family, friends and fans, many, many tomorrows!! But God had another plan for Benny, who is now singing with a Choir in Heaven!!