Columbus, NC— Michael Bentivegna Jr. passed quietly in his sleep on June 22nd, 2019. The son of Michael and Rachael Bentivegna, Michael was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Michael is survived by his family who loved him dearly: wife Alice Bentivegna, their four children and their spouses, Kara and Bob Ballentine, Lisa and Rick Knopp, Michael and Monica Bentivegna, Jennifer and Michael Li, their grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as his sister Rose and Larry Belcastro. 

Michael was a business owner, advisor and consultant, registered public health sanitarian, and VP of sales for an international company. Michael’s hobbies included a lifelong love for fishing which lead him to becoming a licensed charter boat captain. He was the president of the Long Island Koi Club and had raised and showed prize winning Koi. Michael and Alice moved to North Carolina in their retirement twenty-two years ago, having fallen in love with the beautiful horse country, wonderful community and more relaxed pace of life. In North Carolina, Michael picked up his wife’s horseback riding passion, and became the president of the Equestrian Homeowners Association, riding member of both Green Creek Hounds and Tryon Hounds, as well as a member of the Old Tryon Foothills Beagles. In his final years, he enjoyed greatly the bountiful fishing on Watts Bar Lake in Ten Mile, TN. 

Michael will be missed by his family and friends for his fun-loving, generous spirit. With Michael’s lifelong faith and devotion to God, we are confident that he truly rests in peace.  

A memorial service will be held on July 20th, 10:00 a.m. at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon, NC.  

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity. 

An online guest register is available at www.mcfrarlandfuneralchapel.com 

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory 

Tryon, North Carolina