Benny A. Medina passed away on April 22, 2015.
Benny was preceded in death by his son, Paul L. Medina and grandson, Paul Benny Medina.
Benny left behind his wife of 64 years, Teresa "Dee Dee" Medina, his daughter, Pamela Medina-Huntington, daughter-in-law, Charlene Medina, granddaughters, Monica Salazar, Julie Medina and Meghan Spinks, great-grandchildren, Eva Crespín, and Jude Candelaria and many brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and friends.
Benny was the eldest of 10 children and grew up in Chama, New Mexico.
In 1945 at the young age of 16, he joined the United States Navy with the consent of his parents. In the Navy he met another young man his age, Cesar Chávez from Yuma, Arizona. They attended night school together and became friends. While in the Navy he became a professional welder and worked in the Navy shipyards in CA. Benny and Dee Dee made their home in Henderson, NV where he worked as a welder and was an active member of the Steel Worker's Union. After 20 years, he and Cesar crossed paths again. Benny was immediately drawn to Cesars' cause in the peaceful fight against the poor treatment of the migrant farmworkers and traveled to Delano, CA to support the United Farm Workers Union Movement. Benny became a strong and lifelong advocate of both Cesar Chávez and Delores Huerta UFW fight for justice.
In 1971 Benny retired from welding and returned with his family to his childhood roots in Chama, NM. Benny became very active in supporting the citizens and community of Chama and its preservation. From 1972 thru 1978 he served his beloved Chama as Mayor. In 1997, Benny and DeeDee made their final home in Rio Rancho, NM to be near their loved ones. Benny's heart never veered far from his humble beginnings. Benny continued to serve whatever community or social situation he was involved with until he died. Benny was a tireless volunteer and continued to fight for equal rights for all people, especially his Latin American brothers and sisters.
Benny's accomplishments were as follows: 1953 thru 2015-Knights of Columbus Third, Fourth Degree Member, Past Grand Knight and lifetime honorary member, 1952 thru 1970-Southern Nevada Association of Latin Americans. January 11, 1995-City of Santa Fe Awarded him with his contributions to Habitat for Humanity both as a worker and board member. April 2, 2011-Awarded the 'Si Se Puede' award for his lifelong commitment to community, social and human rights issues by the City of Albuquerque, the National Hispanic Culture Center, The New Mexico Federation of Labor and the Recuerda a Cesar Chavez Committee, 2002 thru 2015- Benny started the Native New Mexican Club and joined the fishing club with the Meadowlark Senior Center and organized numerous field trips and experiences for his fellow seniors, 1952 thru 2015-American G.I. Forum and American Legion, 2000 thru 2005-Board Member of the Sandoval City Commission on Senior Affairs in Rio Rancho and worked many years with the election Board, 2003 thru 2012- Member of the Esperanza de Joaquin Organization which served in helping poor communities in Mexico with water sanitation, gardening, supplying children with clothing, health hygiene and education, supplying learning tools and computers. Benny, himself traveled many times with the group and with his knowledge of the Spanish language was able to establish trust and lifelong friendship with the children and people of the impoverished communities.
Services will be on Saturday May 2, 2015 at Church of the Incarnation 2309 Monterrey Rd. NE Rio Rancho, NM. Mass at 11:00 a.m. gathering with friends and family immediately following.
In lieu of flowers or donations, this would be Benny's wish: Always be strong in your convictions and about the things you believe even if it pisses people off. Volunteer. Be involved. Lend a helping hand when you see the need. Pay a kindness forward. Make the world a better place for all people in any way you see fit.
Benny was preceded in death by his son, Paul L. Medina and grandson, Paul Benny Medina.
Benny left behind his wife of 64 years, Teresa "Dee Dee" Medina, his daughter, Pamela Medina-Huntington, daughter-in-law, Charlene Medina, granddaughters, Monica Salazar, Julie Medina and Meghan Spinks, great-grandchildren, Eva Crespín, and Jude Candelaria and many brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and friends.
Benny was the eldest of 10 children and grew up in Chama, New Mexico.
In 1945 at the young age of 16, he joined the United States Navy with the consent of his parents. In the Navy he met another young man his age, Cesar Chávez from Yuma, Arizona. They attended night school together and became friends. While in the Navy he became a professional welder and worked in the Navy shipyards in CA. Benny and Dee Dee made their home in Henderson, NV where he worked as a welder and was an active member of the Steel Worker's Union. After 20 years, he and Cesar crossed paths again. Benny was immediately drawn to Cesars' cause in the peaceful fight against the poor treatment of the migrant farmworkers and traveled to Delano, CA to support the United Farm Workers Union Movement. Benny became a strong and lifelong advocate of both Cesar Chávez and Delores Huerta UFW fight for justice.
In 1971 Benny retired from welding and returned with his family to his childhood roots in Chama, NM. Benny became very active in supporting the citizens and community of Chama and its preservation. From 1972 thru 1978 he served his beloved Chama as Mayor. In 1997, Benny and DeeDee made their final home in Rio Rancho, NM to be near their loved ones. Benny's heart never veered far from his humble beginnings. Benny continued to serve whatever community or social situation he was involved with until he died. Benny was a tireless volunteer and continued to fight for equal rights for all people, especially his Latin American brothers and sisters.
Benny's accomplishments were as follows: 1953 thru 2015-Knights of Columbus Third, Fourth Degree Member, Past Grand Knight and lifetime honorary member, 1952 thru 1970-Southern Nevada Association of Latin Americans. January 11, 1995-City of Santa Fe Awarded him with his contributions to Habitat for Humanity both as a worker and board member. April 2, 2011-Awarded the 'Si Se Puede' award for his lifelong commitment to community, social and human rights issues by the City of Albuquerque, the National Hispanic Culture Center, The New Mexico Federation of Labor and the Recuerda a Cesar Chavez Committee, 2002 thru 2015- Benny started the Native New Mexican Club and joined the fishing club with the Meadowlark Senior Center and organized numerous field trips and experiences for his fellow seniors, 1952 thru 2015-American G.I. Forum and American Legion, 2000 thru 2005-Board Member of the Sandoval City Commission on Senior Affairs in Rio Rancho and worked many years with the election Board, 2003 thru 2012- Member of the Esperanza de Joaquin Organization which served in helping poor communities in Mexico with water sanitation, gardening, supplying children with clothing, health hygiene and education, supplying learning tools and computers. Benny, himself traveled many times with the group and with his knowledge of the Spanish language was able to establish trust and lifelong friendship with the children and people of the impoverished communities.
Services will be on Saturday May 2, 2015 at Church of the Incarnation 2309 Monterrey Rd. NE Rio Rancho, NM. Mass at 11:00 a.m. gathering with friends and family immediately following.
In lieu of flowers or donations, this would be Benny's wish: Always be strong in your convictions and about the things you believe even if it pisses people off. Volunteer. Be involved. Lend a helping hand when you see the need. Pay a kindness forward. Make the world a better place for all people in any way you see fit.
Benny A. Medina passed away on April 22, 2015.
Benny was preceded in death by his son, Paul L. Medina and grandson, Paul Benny Medina.
Benny left behind his wife of 64 years, Teresa "Dee Dee" Medina, his daughter, Pamela Medina-Huntington, daughter-in-law, Charlene Medina, granddaughters, Monica Salazar, Julie Medina and Meghan Spinks, great-grandchildren, Eva Crespín, and Jude Candelaria and many brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and friends.
Benny was the eldest of 10 children and grew up in Chama, New Mexico.
In 1945 at the young age of 16, he joined the United States Navy with the consent of his parents. In the Navy he met another young man his age, Cesar Chávez from Yuma, Arizona. They attended night school together and became friends. While in the Navy he became a professional welder and worked in the Navy shipyards in CA. Benny and Dee Dee made their home in Henderson, NV where he worked as a welder and was an active member of the Steel Worker's Union. After 20 years, he and Cesar crossed paths again. Benny was immediately drawn to Cesars' cause in the peaceful fight against the poor treatment of the migrant farmworkers and traveled to Delano, CA to support the United Farm Workers Union Movement. Benny became a strong and lifelong advocate of both Cesar Chávez and Delores Huerta UFW fight for justice.
In 1971 Benny retired from welding and returned with his family to his childhood roots in Chama, NM. Benny became very active in supporting the citizens and community of Chama and its preservation. From 1972 thru 1978 he served his beloved Chama as Mayor. In 1997, Benny and DeeDee made their final home in Rio Rancho, NM to be near their loved ones. Benny's heart never veered far from his humble beginnings. Benny continued to serve whatever community or social situation he was involved with until he died. Benny was a tireless volunteer and continued to fight for equal rights for all people, especially his Latin American brothers and sisters.
Benny's accomplishments were as follows: 1953 thru 2015-Knights of Columbus Third, Fourth Degree Member, Past Grand Knight and lifetime honorary member, 1952 thru 1970-Southern Nevada Association of Latin Americans. January 11, 1995-City of Santa Fe Awarded him with his contributions to Habitat for Humanity both as a worker and board member. April 2, 2011-Awarded the 'Si Se Puede' award for his lifelong commitment to community, social and human rights issues by the City of Albuquerque, the National Hispanic Culture Center, The New Mexico Federation of Labor and the Recuerda a Cesar Chavez Committee, 2002 thru 2015- Benny started the Native New Mexican Club and joined the fishing club with the Meadowlark Senior Center and organized numerous field trips and experiences for his fellow seniors, 1952 thru 2015-American G.I. Forum and American Legion, 2000 thru 2005-Board Member of the Sandoval City Commission on Senior Affairs in Rio Rancho and worked many years with the election Board, 2003 thru 2012- Member of the Esperanza de Joaquin Organization which served in helping poor communities in Mexico with water sanitation, gardening, supplying children with clothing, health hygiene and education, supplying learning tools and computers. Benny, himself traveled many times with the group and with his knowledge of the Spanish language was able to establish trust and lifelong friendship with the children and people of the impoverished communities.
Services will be on Saturday May 2, 2015 at Church of the Incarnation 2309 Monterrey Rd. NE Rio Rancho, NM. Mass at 11:00 a.m. gathering with friends and family immediately following.
In lieu of flowers or donations, this would be Benny's wish: Always be strong in your convictions and about the things you believe even if it pisses people off. Volunteer. Be involved. Lend a helping hand when you see the need. Pay a kindness forward. Make the world a better place for all people in any way you see fit.
Benny was preceded in death by his son, Paul L. Medina and grandson, Paul Benny Medina.
Benny left behind his wife of 64 years, Teresa "Dee Dee" Medina, his daughter, Pamela Medina-Huntington, daughter-in-law, Charlene Medina, granddaughters, Monica Salazar, Julie Medina and Meghan Spinks, great-grandchildren, Eva Crespín, and Jude Candelaria and many brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and friends.
Benny was the eldest of 10 children and grew up in Chama, New Mexico.
In 1945 at the young age of 16, he joined the United States Navy with the consent of his parents. In the Navy he met another young man his age, Cesar Chávez from Yuma, Arizona. They attended night school together and became friends. While in the Navy he became a professional welder and worked in the Navy shipyards in CA. Benny and Dee Dee made their home in Henderson, NV where he worked as a welder and was an active member of the Steel Worker's Union. After 20 years, he and Cesar crossed paths again. Benny was immediately drawn to Cesars' cause in the peaceful fight against the poor treatment of the migrant farmworkers and traveled to Delano, CA to support the United Farm Workers Union Movement. Benny became a strong and lifelong advocate of both Cesar Chávez and Delores Huerta UFW fight for justice.
In 1971 Benny retired from welding and returned with his family to his childhood roots in Chama, NM. Benny became very active in supporting the citizens and community of Chama and its preservation. From 1972 thru 1978 he served his beloved Chama as Mayor. In 1997, Benny and DeeDee made their final home in Rio Rancho, NM to be near their loved ones. Benny's heart never veered far from his humble beginnings. Benny continued to serve whatever community or social situation he was involved with until he died. Benny was a tireless volunteer and continued to fight for equal rights for all people, especially his Latin American brothers and sisters.
Benny's accomplishments were as follows: 1953 thru 2015-Knights of Columbus Third, Fourth Degree Member, Past Grand Knight and lifetime honorary member, 1952 thru 1970-Southern Nevada Association of Latin Americans. January 11, 1995-City of Santa Fe Awarded him with his contributions to Habitat for Humanity both as a worker and board member. April 2, 2011-Awarded the 'Si Se Puede' award for his lifelong commitment to community, social and human rights issues by the City of Albuquerque, the National Hispanic Culture Center, The New Mexico Federation of Labor and the Recuerda a Cesar Chavez Committee, 2002 thru 2015- Benny started the Native New Mexican Club and joined the fishing club with the Meadowlark Senior Center and organized numerous field trips and experiences for his fellow seniors, 1952 thru 2015-American G.I. Forum and American Legion, 2000 thru 2005-Board Member of the Sandoval City Commission on Senior Affairs in Rio Rancho and worked many years with the election Board, 2003 thru 2012- Member of the Esperanza de Joaquin Organization which served in helping poor communities in Mexico with water sanitation, gardening, supplying children with clothing, health hygiene and education, supplying learning tools and computers. Benny, himself traveled many times with the group and with his knowledge of the Spanish language was able to establish trust and lifelong friendship with the children and people of the impoverished communities.
Services will be on Saturday May 2, 2015 at Church of the Incarnation 2309 Monterrey Rd. NE Rio Rancho, NM. Mass at 11:00 a.m. gathering with friends and family immediately following.
In lieu of flowers or donations, this would be Benny's wish: Always be strong in your convictions and about the things you believe even if it pisses people off. Volunteer. Be involved. Lend a helping hand when you see the need. Pay a kindness forward. Make the world a better place for all people in any way you see fit.
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