Ben was born on October 5, 1974, in Los Angeles, California, and grew up throughout the San Fernando Valley with his loving mother and three brothers. As the oldest son, he carried a strong sense of responsibility and devoted much of his life to caring for those he loved most.
Ben married Martha Mendoza on January 13, 2012, and together they welcomed their first and only daughter Isabella Del Real on June 22, 2008. Isabella was always the center of Ben’s world, but especially after he started facing ongoing health challenges. He began attending a church and seeking a better relationship with God which strengthened his relationship with his daughter. Despite his illness, his love, thoughts, and devotion were always with his daughter. He was grateful for the time he was able to spend with her in these recent months.
Ben had a creative spirit and enjoyed working with leather to craft notebooks, wallets, phone cases, everyday items, and even stuffed animals for his daughter. He was a devoted fan of WWE, especially Stone Cold Steve Austin, and made sure to never miss a match. As well, he found inspiration in the words of his favorite poet and rapper, Tupac Shakur. “Only God Can Judge Me.” Whether it was hanging out with his best friend Rick, spending time with his wife and daughter, watching his favorite shows, or creating a new item, he always found something to keep him busy.
Above all else, Ben was a devoted father and son. He was resilient in the face of serious illness, rarely complained, and endured far more than many may ever know. Ben had a great sense of humor that many saw, though he often kept to himself. His faith guided and protected him through many difficult times, and even when he felt he was losing the battle, he continued to fight with quiet strength.
Ben will be remembered for his unwavering love for his daughter, his devotion to his family, his great strength, faith in the Lord, and great humor. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his loving mother, Evangelina Del Real; his wife, Martha Mendoza; His daughter, Isabella Del Real; and his three brothers, Julian, Rolando, and Eddie Del Real.
