PNCM Ruben Cabasa Navata

PNCM (SW) Ruben Cabasa Navata "Ben" to family and friends was born on February 10, 1950, to Modesto+ and Juana+ Navata of Agno, Pangasinan, and Narvacan, llocos Sur, Philippines. Ben was the youngest of four siblings. He was well-loved and adored by his two brothers, Conrado+ and Dominador+, and his sister, Gundelina.

Before enlisting in the US Navy, Ben worked at the US Naval Base, Subic Bay, Philippines, in the Receiving Unit Department from September 1972-March 1973, and at the US Naval Hospital as a Medical Records Clerk.

In June 1974, at 24, he enlisted in the US Navy in Subic Bay, Philippines. His duty stations were on USS Monticello (LSD-35), San Diego, CA, November 1974-June 1978; NBS NSGA, Clark Air Base, Philippines, August 1978-March 1980; COMNAVMILPERSCOM, Washington, DC, March 1980-March 1985; USS Jason (AR-8), Pearl Harbor, HI, May 1985-August 1988; PERSUPP DET, Yokosuka, Japan, October 1988-February 1992; PERSUPP DET, Guam, February 1992-June 1995; EPMAC, New Orleans, LA, July 1995-Nov 1998; USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19), Yokosuka, Japan, January 1999-July 2002; PERSUPP DET, Point Loma, San Diego CA, August 2002-July 2004.

During his tour in Clark Air Base, Philippines, he met his wife, Delia Navata, who was from Sta. Maria, Pangasinan, Philippines. She first saw Delia, in a group photo on top of the table in her friend Lenny's office. When he saw the photo, he suddenly pointed to Delia's picture and commented that she would be my wife. Lenny informed him that her sister, Elisa, worked in the airport terminal. When he found out Delia had a sister, he left Lenny's office to meet her. He introduced himself to her, then asked her permission to visit Delia. After work, he would drive two hours every day from Clark Air Base to Manila to see her. They were eventually married in March 1980 at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church, Pangasinan, Philippines. They started their family when they moved to Washington, DC shortly after.

He received an Associate's degree in General Studies from Central Texas College. Ben's passion was jogging and walking every day around our neighborhood before sunrise or sunset. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, watching the Filipino TV series "Batang Quiapo", and reading the Filipino magazine "Bannawag". He was committed to helping his fellow veterans and the wives of deceased veterans fill out and complete their forms for their benefits claims. Ben was a beloved friend to many, known for telling jokes and stories. He would always be there to extend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

Ben retired from the US Navy in July 2004 after serving 30 years. After his retirement, he worked as a Housing Management Assistant at the Naval Base, Point Loma, Unaccompanied Housing, Point Loma, San Diego, CA, and as a VA Service Representative in the American Legion, La Jolla, CA. He also volunteered at our church, Mater Dei Catholic Church, Chula Vista, CA.

Ben, who was 75 years old, was finally called to his final home by our Father on April 29, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife, Delia, of 45 years, sons Brian Jayson and Marc Raymund, sister Gundelina, nieces, and nephews.