Benito Ladines
January 16, 1906 - December 26, 2008
Obituary
Benny B. Ladines, 99, passed away December 26, 2008. He was born in Urdaneta, Philippines on January 16, 1909. Benny is survived by wife of 43 years, Margarita, 6 children, 27 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held Friday, January 2 from 2pm-8pm. A Rosary will be recited at 6pm. The funeral Mass will be held 10AM, Saturday, January 3 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 4415 S. 140th Street, Tukwila, WA. Burial will follow at Washington Memorial Park.
Eulogy for Benito Benny Ladines, delivered January 3rd, 2009
On behalf of the Ladines family, I want to thank you for taking the time to honor a most special and blessed man, my grandfather, Benito Benny Ladines.
Just shy of his 100th birthday, Benny went to be with our Lord December 26th, 2008. He was born in Urdeneta, Philippines January 16th, 1909. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Margarita, or Margo, as she is called by friends and family. I think it is appropriate at this to also thank you, Margo, for the 43 wonderful years you gave to your beloved husband. But especially, and I speak for all of our family, we ant to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude for the exceptional and loving care you provided for Benny in the last years of his life, allowing him to complete his life’s journey, leaving this world peacefully as he slept in his own home – what a tremendous gift to provide for our beloved!
There is really no adequate way of summing up or even beginning to capture a glimpse of nearly 100 years of a life so fully lived, a life so simple, and yet so blessed.
All of us here hold our own special memories of moments and our own perspectives and interpretations of stories and life events that shape our remembrances of Benny Ladines. I hope that in the coming days, weeks and even years from now, we will continue to share these special memories and always hold close to our hearts those memories that keep his legacy alive through each one of us.
From my own memories of stories told, my grandfather was an adventurous young man of about 19 years old when he left the familiar surroundings of his home in the Philippines and began his journey to the United States.
Instead of arriving in the land of opportunity, he and his friends arrived in the United States just about the time the country was entering into the Great Depression.
Over the years, as I was challenged with the trials and tribulations of life, I tried to imagine what it must have been like to arrive in a foreign land, struggling not only to learn how to assimilate into this drastically different culture, but also to have enough faith and strength of character to survive the challenges each new day would bring.
One of my favorite stories was how he and his friends survived those early days in America by creatively pooling their efforts. Benny and his Filipino companions would start out early each day and find some work to earn whatever they could. At the end of the day, they would put all their coins together – just enough for a rented room, some rice and a fish head, which they would boil for their evening meal. Boiled fish-head soup over rice kept them going until better fortunes were found. Now, I heard many different versions of this story when I was growing up. In some versions of the story it was a chicken head, chicken feet – or whatever else they could scrounge up – that was boiled into the soup. Other versions were more fun to tell, but the fish head soup made the most sense to me. Whatever version was told, however, it always finished with a familiar theme – you have to have faith!
When I think of my grandfather and the amazing life he lived, the first thing that comes to my mind is his faith. My grandfather had a unique gift of faith that had a profound impact on my life and countless others who were touched in one way or another.
His family, his friends, his co-workers, all who came into contact with Benny were warmed by his friendly demeanor and his faith expressed in love and genuine kindness to others.
Grandfather was an amazing artist. He painted, but was probably most recognized as an artist by his beautiful ice carvings that he created for parties and special events, even getting write-ups in the local papers, recognizing his unique works of art.
As a child I was fascinated by the transformation of a cold block of dry-ice that would slowly evolve with each precise tap of his ice pick, into a beautiful swan, or ornate ice basket that would be filled with a stunning array of flowers – a rainbow of colors reflecting through the iridescent ice.
From his earlier days farming in the fertile soil of the Duwamish Valley, to his career as a chef at the well-known local favorite, Andy’s Diner, Benny believed in a strong work-ethic and demonstrated this all throughout his life.
It was during this time while attending a culinary arts college that Benny honed his ice-carving skills and refined his talents as a chef.
For decades, even long after reaching the age of retirement, my grandfather continued serving up his specialties as a favorite chef at Andy’s Diner.
Ironically, the Seattle landmark closed its doors for good in early January of last year, after new owners tried to bring back an era long-since passed.
I can’t help but think that Benny and his many friends provided the special ingredients that made this restaurant such a local favorite for nearly 50 years! They are all gone now, and so is Andy’s Diner.
Benny was always a man of the earth in many ways, but especially, the way in which he could grow things. Even in his retirement years, he always had a yard full of prized roses and other striking varieties of flowers, along with an incredibly productive vegetable garden.
I had the privilege of growing up just a block away from my grandfather’s house. He was all about family and entertaining friends. I always looked forward to family events in which Grandpa and Margo would provide a feast of Filipino foods – long rice and lumpia were always my favorites. I remember Eileen and Dean’s birthday celebrations sometimes included a roasted pig, carefully hand-turned over hot coals – right in their own backyard!
These memories and events helped connect us to our Filipino heritage and made us proud to be a part of such a beautiful people and culture.
Today we seek God’s comfort as we mourn the loss of our loved one, but as the scriptures remind us, we do not grieve like those who have no hope. For God’s great and precious promises are in fact a reality, and we are encouraged, knowing that this passing is not the end, but yet, another beginning.
In John’s gospel, chapter 14, we read: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.â€
God gave Benny nearly 100 years of life on this earth while he was preparing a special place in his heavenly kingdom – what an incredible reward he must be receiving even now!
We can continue to honor the memory of our loved one by emulating his faith, believing in God, believing in family, believing in love.
Life is too short. Even a century of life is but a blink of an eye. May we all discover – first and foremost – God’s love and His forgiveness, so that we may forgive others. May we be a little more diligent and pay a little more attention to the important things in life – time spent with family and friends.
Did we not see this? Did we not learn this? Were we not blessed to know this so well in the life and example of one we have loved so dearly; one who will be missed so greatly, Benito Benny Ladines!
I’ll always remember how talented Grampa was, with his Ice carvings, drawings, cooking etc. And how beautiful his garden always was. He did have such a colorful life and many blessed years! ~kerri
Dearest Grandfather, Thank You for all the Love Hugs, and memories.I will miss you! The last thing you said to me at your Birthday party was I Love you always remember that I will and Grandpa Ditto
Ninang Margo & Family
We just wanted to let you know that our prayers & thoughts are with you. Condolences Ninang and Family
Love,
Jack & Aurora Leng Dumo
Our deepest condolence to the Family of Lolo Benny, It was always a pleasant being around Lolo Benny, I used to leave with his daughter Ate Ei and everytime we visit her parents back then he always joke around with us, and he was always giving me advise how to take care of myself and be a better person, I am not related to him but he treated me like I am related to him. Very great guy I love listening to his stories during his young age. Lolo Benny you will be greatly missed. We love you.
Peter Bangayan
Eulogy for Benito Benny Ladines, delivered January 3rd, 2009
On behalf of the Ladines family, I want to thank you for taking the time to honor a most special and blessed man, my grandfather, Benito Benny Ladines.
Just shy of his 100th birthday, Benny went to be with our Lord December 26th, 2008. He was born in Urdeneta, Philippines January 16th, 1909. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Margarita, or Margo, as she is called by friends and family. I think it is appropriate at this to also thank you, Margo, for the 43 wonderful years you gave to your beloved husband. But especially, and I speak for all of our family, we ant to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude for the exceptional and loving care you provided for Benny in the last years of his life, allowing him to complete his life’s journey, leaving this world peacefully as he slept in his own home – what a tremendous gift to provide for our beloved!
There is really no adequate way of summing up or even beginning to capture a glimpse of nearly 100 years of a life so fully lived, a life so simple, and yet so blessed.
All of us here hold our own special memories of moments and our own perspectives and interpretations of stories and life events that shape our remembrances of Benny Ladines. I hope that in the coming days, weeks and even years from now, we will continue to share these special memories and always hold close to our hearts those memories that keep his legacy alive through each one of us.
From my own memories of stories told, my grandfather was an adventurous young man of about 19 years old when he left the familiar surroundings of his home in the Philippines and began his journey to the United States.
Instead of arriving in the land of opportunity, he and his friends arrived in the United States just about the time the country was entering into the Great Depression.
Over the years, as I was challenged with the trials and tribulations of life, I tried to imagine what it must have been like to arrive in a foreign land, struggling not only to learn how to assimilate into this drastically different culture, but also to have enough faith and strength of character to survive the challenges each new day would bring.
One of my favorite stories was how he and his friends survived those early days in America by creatively pooling their efforts. Benny and his Filipino companions would start out early each day and find some work to earn whatever they could. At the end of the day, they would put all their coins together – just enough for a rented room, some rice and a fish head, which they would boil for their evening meal. Boiled fish-head soup over rice kept them going until better fortunes were found. Now, I heard many different versions of this story when I was growing up. In some versions of the story it was a chicken head, chicken feet – or whatever else they could scrounge up – that was boiled into the soup. Other versions were more fun to tell, but the fish head soup made the most sense to me. Whatever version was told, however, it always finished with a familiar theme – you have to have faith!
When I think of my grandfather and the amazing life he lived, the first thing that comes to my mind is his faith. My grandfather had a unique gift of faith that had a profound impact on my life and countless others who were touched in one way or another.
His family, his friends, his co-workers, all who came into contact with Benny were warmed by his friendly demeanor and his faith expressed in love and genuine kindness to others.
Grandfather was an amazing artist. He painted, but was probably most recognized as an artist by his beautiful ice carvings that he created for parties and special events, even getting write-ups in the local papers, recognizing his unique works of art.
As a child I was fascinated by the transformation of a cold block of dry-ice that would slowly evolve with each precise tap of his ice pick, into a beautiful swan, or ornate ice basket that would be filled with a stunning array of flowers – a rainbow of colors reflecting through the iridescent ice.
From his earlier days farming in the fertile soil of the Duwamish Valley, to his career as a chef at the well-known local favorite, Andy’s Diner, Benny believed in a strong work-ethic and demonstrated this all throughout his life.
It was during this time while attending a culinary arts college that Benny honed his ice-carving skills and refined his talents as a chef.
For decades, even long after reaching the age of retirement, my grandfather continued serving up his specialties as a favorite chef at Andy’s Diner.
Ironically, the Seattle landmark closed its doors for good in early January of last year, after new owners tried to bring back an era long-since passed.
I can’t help but think that Benny and his many friends provided the special ingredients that made this restaurant such a local favorite for nearly 50 years! They are all gone now, and so is Andy’s Diner.
Benny was always a man of the earth in many ways, but especially, the way in which he could grow things. Even in his retirement years, he always had a yard full of prized roses and other striking varieties of flowers, along with an incredibly productive vegetable garden.
I had the privilege of growing up just a block away from my grandfather’s house. He was all about family and entertaining friends. I always looked forward to family events in which Grandpa and Margo would provide a feast of Filipino foods – long rice and lumpia were always my favorites. I remember Eileen and Dean’s birthday celebrations sometimes included a roasted pig, carefully hand-turned over hot coals – right in their own backyard!
These memories and events helped connect us to our Filipino heritage and made us proud to be a part of such a beautiful people and culture.
Today we seek God’s comfort as we mourn the loss of our loved one, but as the scriptures remind us, we do not grieve like those who have no hope. For God’s great and precious promises are in fact a reality, and we are encouraged, knowing that this passing is not the end, but yet, another beginning.
In John’s gospel, chapter 14, we read: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.â€
God gave Benny nearly 100 years of life on this earth while he was preparing a special place in his heavenly kingdom – what an incredible reward he must be receiving even now!
We can continue to honor the memory of our loved one by emulating his faith, believing in God, believing in family, believing in love.
Life is too short. Even a century of life is but a blink of an eye. May we all discover – first and foremost – God’s love and His forgiveness, so that we may forgive others. May we be a little more diligent and pay a little more attention to the important things in life – time spent with family and friends.
Did we not see this? Did we not learn this? Were we not blessed to know this so well in the life and example of one we have loved so dearly; one who will be missed so greatly, Benito Benny Ladines!
I’ll always remember how talented Grampa was, with his Ice carvings, drawings, cooking etc. And how beautiful his garden always was. He did have such a colorful life and many blessed years! ~kerri
Dearest Grandfather, Thank You for all the Love Hugs, and memories.I will miss you! The last thing you said to me at your Birthday party was I Love you always remember that I will and Grandpa Ditto
Ninang Margo & Family
We just wanted to let you know that our prayers & thoughts are with you. Condolences Ninang and Family
Love,
Jack & Aurora Leng Dumo
Our deepest condolence to the Family of Lolo Benny, It was always a pleasant being around Lolo Benny, I used to leave with his daughter Ate Ei and everytime we visit her parents back then he always joke around with us, and he was always giving me advise how to take care of myself and be a better person, I am not related to him but he treated me like I am related to him. Very great guy I love listening to his stories during his young age. Lolo Benny you will be greatly missed. We love you.
Peter Bangayan
Lolo, I do remember when you visit our house in Cayambanan, my mom always telling you, “that you never grow old”. 🙂 LOUIE