Sunrise 1943 – Sunset 2022
Melvin L. Bento was born in Harlem Hospital December 24th 1943 to the late Helen Woods of Kinston N.C. and late Alfred Bento of the Caribbean Island of Saba. He departed this life November 22, 2022.
He spent his formative years in New York between Harlem and Staten Island under the watchful care of his Grandmother Jane (Hassell) Bento (deceased) and Aunt Mildred Perry (deceased). In his youth he often traveled through-out the Tri State Area (CT. NJ.NY) accompanying his cousin “The Boy Preacher” Bishop Milton Bento Perry (deceased) on preaching engagements. As an adolescent Melvin moved to Boston to live with his mother, Maternal Grandmother Cliffie Lofton, Aunt Mary Cole, and Uncle Emmet Cole (all deceased).
Melvin was educated at the Dearborn School and Boston Trade High School located respectively within Boston’s renown Orchard Park and Mission Hill housing developments. As a graduate of the Boston Trade High Schools’ class of 1962 and the teenage father of Melvyn C. Melvin worked the 3rd shift at Horwitz’s plumping & supply company, was elected class president, played on the football team and set a state track record (he broke the Massachusetts boys indoor 55-yard dash record once held by Louis Walcott also known as Hon. Louis Farrakhan). To distinguish himself from the crowd while in high school he chose to change the vowel in his name from the common I to the unique Y.
In 1963 Melvyn married his loving and devoted wife of 48 years the late Brenda M. (Bynoe) Bento (deceased) this union produced two children “the twins” Michelle and Michael (deceased).
In 1967 Melvyn accepted a position as a Cabin Service agent with United Airlines and after a decade of service he leveraged the benefits of working for a large company and realized his dream of moving his family to California. He retired from United Airlines with 33 years of service in 2001 as Employee of the Year!
In his leisure time Melvyn liked horseback riding, walking, listening to talk radio, and hosting “ home concerts” of doo-wop and R&B music from artist like the Motown Sound (Marvin Gaye &Temptations), The Isley Brothers, The Dramatics, The O Jay’s, The Stylistics, Earth Wind & Fire and Frankie Beverly and Maze on his prized stereo. He was also an avid sports fan, his favorite teams included the Boston Bruins (NHL), Boston Celtics (NBA/Bill Russell), The NY Giants (NFL), Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB/Jackie Robinson) and Saturday afternoon college football.
After the passing of wife Brenda in 2011, Melvyn’s caretakers have been a god sent daughter in law Patricia Bento, and grandsons Michael Jr. & Jeremy Bento.
Psalms 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble
A visitation for Melvyn will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2022 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Miller Jones Mortuary and Crematory, 1835 N. Perris Blvd, Perris, CA 92571. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, December 13, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 1835 N. Perris Blvd, Perris, CA 92571. A committal service will occur Tuesday, December 13, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 21300 East Via Verde Street, Covina 91724.
