WATSONVILLE — Benjamin Baena died at his home in Watsonville on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. He was 98.
Mr. Baena immigrated from Mexico to the United States at the age of 13 to look for work to help his mother and siblings. He worked in Texas, the Salinas Valley and in Watsonville in the cotton, fruit trees, berries and field crops. The last 30 years before he retired he was the irrigation manager at Leonard Coates Nursery.
Mr. Baena was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He always worked hard to provide for his family. He loved to read, prayed daily and enjoyed watching the Giants with his wife. His generosity was well known and allowed his family to immigrate for a better life in the United States.
Mr. Baena is survived by his wife, Irene Baena; daughters, Enriqueta Rojas, Violet Medina and Sonia Farias, all of Watsonville; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. and burial will follow at Valley Public Cemetery. Mehl’s Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.
