Benny was born in Ceiba, Puerto Rico and grew up in a Christian home in Chelsea, New York City. At the young age of 18, he joined the United States Army where he was active for 7 years and was honorably discharged in 1976. He was stationed in Hawaii, North Carolina and deployed in Vietnam. During his service he earned numerous awards: a Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Combat Infantrymen Badge, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Devices, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal two times, and the Expert Badge for M-16.
He began his career as a machinist at Cummins Diesel Recon in La Mirada, California. As he climbed the ladder he was transferred and spent 3 years in San Luis Potosi, Mexico overseeing the operation of opening a new plant. He was then transferred on a promotion to Memphis, Tennessee; and he retired after 35 years with the company in 2015.
He is preceded in death by his father, Salustiano Rodriguez-Centeno; two brothers, Nestor Antonio & Jose Manuel; and a grandchild, Adrian Lamont. He is survived by his mother, Josefina Centeno; his wife of 36 years, Lenora Rodriguez; four children: Benjamin Rodriguez (Theresa), Kimberly Anderson (Kelly), Navia Gonzalez (Alex), and Raelynn Dorsey (Joe); a godson Emmanuel Lemus; five siblings: Miriam; Carlos (Frances), Jorge (Sulma), Reynaldo, and Marcelina; 15 grandchildren: Benjamin (Stephanie), Zoey, Isaiah, Anthony, Lieve (Thomas), Eddie, Samantha, Joanna, Astrid, Florencia, Alejandro (Jasmin), Armando, Jayla, and Fernando; 5 great grandchildren: Riece, Thomas, Kailani, Trevor, and Skydemis; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
During his past time, he enjoyed playing golf and winning tons of trophies, playing dominoes and winning, fishing, playing the congas, listening to great music, and watching Wicked Tuna or the Food Network channel. Benny lived well, loved hard, and laughed often. He knew how to have fun. Benny/dad/daddy/grandpa/papa – we love you and we will miss you always!!!
A visitation for Benny will be held Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Rodriguez Centeno family.
