Bernard H. "Ben" Opitz

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Avon for Bernard H. “Ben” Opitz, 63, of Avon, formerly of Baltimore, MD, who died May 13, 2016. The Reverend Blane Wasnie, OSB, will officiate. Burial will be at a later date at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery in Dundalk, MD. Another Memorial gathering will be held at a later date in Dundalk. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 AM on Tuesday at the Church in Avon. Arrangements are with Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud.

Ben was born on June 18, 1952, in Baltimore, MD, to Bernard H. Opitz, Sr. and Adaline (Perkins) Opitz.

Ben was a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New Haven, CT, and attended the University of New Haven. He was executive chef for Muir Corporation and was a partner, with his brother Paul, in Opitz Brother’s Crab House in Baltimore. He was most recently executive chef for Phillips Seafood Restaurants.

Ben is survived by his brothers and sisters, Thomas (Mary Elaine), John (Joan), Mary (Darwin) Marcoux,

Anne (Dave) Bernhardt, Therese Opitz-Freeman, all of Maryland, and Paul of Avon; uncle, Robert (Pat) Perkins of White Bear Lake;  many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother William.