Ben Bennett, loving husband, caring father and devoted friend, died
peacefully on December 7, 2008 at the age of 84 in his home in Newport
Beach. He was born in Empalme, Sinaloa, Mexico in 1924, son of Victor
Bennett and Maria Rita Angulo Bennett. He moved to California at the
age of ten, attended Lincoln High School in Los Angeles. He married
his high school sweetheart Betty Pedrini on April 15, 1944. Ben served
in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He worked at retail jobs in
Alhambra and Los Angeles before founding the Community Convalescent
Center in Riverside in 1965 which became his life's work. He lived in
Riverside for eight years before moving to Newport Beach in 1972.
All his life, Ben served his community and helped his friends. He was
president and founding member of the board of the Riverside Health
Foundation. He was a member of the Montebello Kiwanis Club, president
of the Riverside Lions Club and a member of the Riverside Elks Club.
Ben enjoyed rounds of golf with friends at the Victoria Club in
Riverside. An avid sailor, Ben skippered many off shore races in
California and Mexico. He supported the Newport Nautical Musuem and
served there as a docent.
He is survived by his wife Betty, his children Bonnie Peterson and her
husband Ken, Bruce Bennett and his wife Merilee, Beckie Samuels and
her husband George; six grandchildren Cathy Peterson and her husband
Rudi Rudolph, Brian Bennett and his wife Anne, Ryan Samuels and his
wife Vicki, Christopher Bennett, Garrett Samuels and Erik Samuels; two
great-grandchildren Ben and Jenna Rudolph.
Memorial services are being planned. In lieu of flowers the family
suggests donations to his favorite charity Moving Forward Toward
Independence 1020 Clinton Street, Suite 210. Napa, Calif. 94559.
