Ben Abruzzo | |
|---|---|
 Ben Abruzzo, 1981 | |
| Born | June 9, 1930 Rockford, Illinois, United States |
| Died | February 11, 1985 (aged 54) Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
| Cause of death | Aircraft accident |
| Resting place | Gate of Heaven Cemetery Albuquerque, New Mexico[1] |
| Education | B.S. Business Administration[2] |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois |
| Occupation | Chairman & president>br>Real estate developer |
| Employer(s) | Alvarado Realty Company Sandia Peak Ski Company |
| Known for | First Atlantic ocean crossing by balloon in the Double Eagle II First Pacific ocean crossing by balloon in the Double Eagle V |
| Spouse | Patty Abruzzo |
| Children | 4, including Richard |
| Awards | Congressional Gold Medal FAI Diplome Montgolfier ballooning's highest honor FAI Gold Air Medal |
Benjamin L. "Ben" Abruzzo (June 9, 1930 – February 11, 1985) was an American balloonist and businessman who helped make Albuquerque, New Mexico, into an international ballooning center.[3] He was part of the balloon crews that made the first Atlantic Ocean crossing by balloon in the Double Eagle II and the first Pacific Ocean crossing by balloon in the Double Eagle V.[4]
- ^ Richard Melzer. Buried Treasures Famous and Unusual Gravesites in New Mexico History.
- ^ "BEN L. ABRUZZO" (PDF). nationalballoonmuseam.com. National Balloon Museam. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ "Ben L. Abruzzo (American Balloonist)". Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "Richard Abruzzo (USA)". gasballooning.org. GasBallooning. Retrieved June 13, 2020.