Former Skaneateles resident Ben DiNardo was indeed a compassionate man.

DiNardo often volunteered for Laker Limo, a nonprofit company that provides transportation to area seniors and disabled people. When he wasn't doing that, he could often be seen hitting the links at Skaneateles Country Club.

In 2006, DiNardo died on the 12th tee of the course. A year later, DiNardo's wife, Kay, organized a charity golf tournament in her late husband's memory at the club with the proceeds going in part to Laker Limo.

Earlier this year, the organization's board of directors decided to honor both Kay and Ben DiNardo's selflessness by planting a tree on the course.

The fiery maple has a plaque next to it, said Randy Stockweather, the Laker Limo board member responsible for organizing the contribution.

“The plaque says, ‘In memory of Ben DiNardo. Thank you for helping Laker Limo grow,'” he explained in a telephone interview.

As a volunteer driver for the organization, DiNardo often lent his services more frequently than required, Stockweather said.

“Most drivers volunteer once a month,” he said. “But (Laker Limo) does special events like the community band concerts and Lights on the Lake ... Ben never hesitated to volunteer for those.”

Last year's Ben DiNardo Memorial golf outing raised more than $10,000 for Laker Limo and for the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a replica of a sacred Catholic painting in Mexico.

On a Web site about the golf tournament, Kay DiNardo explained that in 1997 Ben traveled on a pilgrimage to Mexico to view the work.

“For many years of Ben's life, he suffered terribly from asthma, sometimes ending up in the hospital,” she says. “Through prayer, he asked Our Lady to ask Jesus for help from his asthma.

“Since that day ... he has suffered no more asthma,” she added.

Kay DiNardo was honored to have the plaque included in one of her husband's favorite spots. He enjoyed the outdoors, so he would have loved the idea of a tree in his honor.

“I feel very comforted and blessed to live and work in a community with such a spirit of support,” she stated.