born in La Luz New Mexico on July 31, 1933, died peacefully at home from complications of Parkinson’s Disease on February 13, 2015, with his loving wife of 58 years, JoAnn, at his side. He is mourned by his five children and their spouses: John (Carla), Mark (Janis), Jeanne (Michael), Lisa (Bob), and Stephen (Lise); his 15 grandchildren; his 9 great grandchildren; his brothers Albert, Tomas, and Paul; his sisters Ernestina, Bertha, and Helen; and many nieces and nephews. Benny was a member of the 1956 U.S. Olympic Team, served honorably in the U.S. Navy, and was an avid handball player and golfer. We will honor our hero, our mentor, and our beloved Tata by passing on his kindness. A Rosary will be held at 7:00pm on Thursday, February 19th (viewing at 6:00pm) at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ. A Funeral Mass will be held celebrating Benny’s life at 10:00am, Friday, February 20th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 7655 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, followed by his burial at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Child Society (www.christchildsocietyphoenix.org) or St. Vincent de Paul Society (www.stvincentdepaul.net). Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Elizabeth and Mike Cascio
Benny was a kind gentle man who was loved by all. He will be missed but his spirit will remain in his family and friends. Our condolences to his family.
Be at peace Benny.
RICK /TAMARA RODRIGUEZ
John and family, you are in our thoughts and our prayers.
J and Janice Lobdell
Our deepest condolences to Joanne, John and Carla, Lisa and Bob and families. We will smile each time we remember the fun times and all the laughter we shared with our friend Benny. Such a special person.
Love and prayers to all,
J and Janice
Mike and Anne McMahon
Benny Garcia will be deeply missed by many.
He had a beautiful smile and great sense of humor.
Our deepest sympathy to Joann and entire family.
Praying comfort for all of you.
Mike and Anne McMahon
Kevin, Sue & Dylan
We were so sorry to hear about your loss. Deepest condolences to JoAnn, John and Carla, Bob and Lisa, and the rest of the family.
Rely on your happy memories. They will become stronger and help lighten your grief as time goes on.
Kevin, Sue and Dylan
Bill Dupke
Benny a kind and gentle man. I always enjoyed our visits when we saw each other at our cabins in Diamond Point. My prayers and thopughts are with you and your family.
Rest in peace my friend.
Ed Sawyer
My condolences to JoAnn and the family. Benny was a wonderful person and a great role model. He was so always entertaining to be around. I will miss that but always remember it.
Gary Bassford
Without a doubt, my favorite uncle. My heart is heavy with the loss of this wonderful man. My life is better for having the opportunity to have him in it. Our prayers and thoughts for all of you….Aunt JoAnn, Benny John, Mark, Jeanne, Lisa, and Stephen. Sorry that we could not make the trip. We love you. Gary and Jennifer
John and Karen
Our heartfelt condolences to the Garcia family and friends. Benny was a kind, loving man who will be greatly missed by many. His memory will live on in many hearts. Praying our Lord’s peace and comfort be with you. ❤️
margaret licosati
Dear JoAnn~I am so sorry to hear of Benny’s passing. Please accept my condolences.
You know, Gene has been waiting for him. He has been needing a good handball opponent up there for four years, and now they can REALLY Play!!
Love,
Margaret
Pedro A. Carabajal
JoAnn and Family,
So sorry for you lost, I will always remember Benny when we met at times. Always a good person. Always had a smile on his face and a comment. The last time I seen Benny was at his home in Arizona as usual we had a heck of a good time, lots of good food and jokes. God Bless you Benny from a friend, Joe’s brother and Bert brother-in-law.
Deanna Vasquez
I am so sorry to hear about your familys loss.. keep memorys close and know that he is in Gods arms now.. Praying for comfort for each and every one of you..
Deanna
LYDIA AND BERNIE ZACKOWSKI
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.
LYDIA & BERNIE
Eddie & Terry Garcia
Words seem inadequate to express our sorrow and sadness we feel for news of your loss . I have many wonderful memories of my Uncle Benny when I was growing up. I was real skinny as a kid and Uncle Benny got me started drinking raw eggs everyday…make a hole on the top of the egg, mix with a stick, add salt, and down the hatch! It worked!! Find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having known Uncle Benny. As you grieve…know that we are remembering you and honoring the memory of our beloved Uncle Benny….
We love You,
Eddie & Terry Garcia
Mike and Maggie Carabajal
Very Sorry to hear of Uncle Benny’s passing …Grandma Pauliney needed some help with her orchard up in heaven…..We loved him and he was such a great influence on not only us but many many others….God Bless all the Garcia family ..
Love…
Mike and Maggie Carabajal
Rob Mariani
Joann and Family:
Cheryl and I were want to express our sorrow for your loss. We know that you have 58 years of wonderful memories to support you now and in the future.
Sincerely;
Rob and Cheryl Mariani
Louie Telles
Les quiro compartir los pesames a la familia de Benny Garcia. Que Dios les bendiga y les dirige a los miembros de la familia. Ademas, que la paz que sobrepasa todo entendimiento humano les cuide hoy y adelante para siempre.
Louie Telles
La Luz, NM
Dave & Darlene Mecke
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Benny. He was one of the nicest people we have ever known. We have very fond and happy memories of him. He was a lot of fun.
Dave & Dee Crownover
So sorry to hear of the passing of Benny. His recipes for food, family and life will never be forgotten. He was a wonderful, warm person. Our deepest sympathy to the family. We will always cherish the time we spent at the cabin.
Dave & Dee
Grenada, CA
The Garcia Family
Rest in peace, Benny. We all love and miss you dearly.
Bob and Sally Klein
Dear JoAnn and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your great loss. How blessed you were to share 58 years of marriage and a beautiful family. Benny is in the good company of Al and Anita and Pete and Marie. God bless you.
Love,
Bob and Sally
Jan and Chris Cacheris
It has been 31 years since Benny and JoAnn were dancing like crazy people at our wedding! What fun Benny was, playing racquetball, cooking great meals, entertaining everyone with his warm sense of humor. What a great family!
Jerre Naughton Ostland
Dear JoAnn and family,
On behalf of the Naughton family, I want to extend sincere condolences on the loss of Benny.
Thoughts and prayers are with you at. this most difficult time . God bless.
Jerre Naughton Ostland
Maryan Norman
Our family was so sorry to hear of Benny’s passing. He had such a sense of humor and our family was enriched to have grown up with the Garcia family and especially JoAnn, Benny and alll the kids. Our love and prayers are with you all.
Hank Ragland
Unfortunately, I was coming back from a vacation on the 20th and did not know of Benny’s passing. I knew him from playing handball from the mid-60’s into the 80’s. He was a great guy, a good and fair player and was very funny. He would get me laughing with his antics while we were playing and made the game a lot more fun. He also taught me some shots that helped my game. He was very proud of his family, especially his son who flew fighters for the Navy. He very well may have been my favorite handball player in the 30 years I played the game. We lost one of the really good guys. My condolences to his family. Hank Ragland
Becky and Danny Vakenzuela
Joann, Jeanne, John and families,
We are so saddened to learn of Benny’s passing. We will always remember his wonderful smile, jovial manner and his kindness. May he rest in peace and may God grant you all his peace and comfort at this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
Becky and Danny Valenzuela