Cherkaoui, Ben Maati
Cherkaoui, Ben Maati, age 88 of Kemah Lake, NJ died Thursday March 1, 2012 at the Newton Memorial Hospital. Born in Morocco Ben had lived in Secaucus for thirty five years. He had also lived in Newton for several years before moving to the Kemah Lake Section of Frankford Twp six years ago.
Son of the late Ben Maati Alall and Meriam (Karim)Cherkaoui, Ben began his career as a Trapeze Artist in 1933 at the age of Nine with the Ringling Brothers Circus. He performed with the Circus and traveled the world for thirty years. A US Army veteran, Ben served during WWII. After retiring from the Circus, he began a new career as a Chef working for several Hotels, most notably the Pegasus at the Meadowlands and the Hilton in Hackensack, NJ. Ben also spoke five different languages fluently.
Pre deceased by his wife Aicha in 1995, survivors include his son Terry Pitcher of Sunrise, FL and his daughter with whom he resided Nadia and her husband Tommy Hatzinas of The Kemah Lake Section of Frankford Twp., NJ, as well as his five grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday March 3, 2012 at 12:20 PM in the Omar Mosque #501 Getty Ave. Paterson, NJ. Interment will follow in the Mount Holiness Memorial Park Cemetery #58 Brown Ave Boonton Twp, NJ. Arrangements are under the direction of the Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home 156 Main St (Rt. 206 South), Newton, NJ 07860.
