Ben Gallardo

Bernardino “Ben” Gallardo, 80, of Gonzales passed away on Friday, January 11, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 9, 1938 to the late Geronimo and Frances (Jones) Gallardo in San Antonio.

Ben grew up in Cost and as a young man began working for American Poultry. After returning home from serving in the US Army, he met and married the love of his life, Minerva Canales on January 28, 1967. He continued in the Army National Guard and worked as a painter for James Brunkenhoefer, Remchael Lumber, and Gonzales ISD.

He enjoyed refinishing old furniture especially great finds along the side of the road that he would pick or others would bring and make them into beautiful pieces.

He spent countless hours at the youth baseball fields volunteering with his son’s teams. As a result, there were many picnics at Independence Park with Plaza sodas, and ½ pound of ham and ½ pound bologna sandwiches. He was a true Houston Oilers fan and then a Houston Texans fan.

He was known to have weekly “round table” meetings with his drinking buddies solving the worlds’ problems in his backyard. Friday nights were spent having family dinner with his kids and grandkids, supplying sweets to all, having a magic fridge full of adult beverages and sodas, and delightful family discussions about the week’s events. He loved his family to be near and gathered together to enjoy laughter, tell stories, and eat Minnie’s home cooking. “Ya Dear”!

Ben Gallardo was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jerry Gallardo; a brother, Charles E. Gallardo. He leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years, Minerva Canales Gallardo; daughters, Monica (Mike) Lamey of Indiana; Frances Gallardo of Gonzales; sons, Gabriel (Nela) Gallardo of Gonzales; Mario Gallardo of San Antonio, daughter-in-law, D’Arcy Gallardo of San Diego, California; grandsons, Jacob and Matthew Lamey, Guiseppe (Joey), Bernardino (Benny), Esteban, and Antonio Gallardo; granddaughters, Erika Lamey, Roma and Martina Gallardo; sister, Gloria Miranda; brothers, Richard and Alfred Quinonez; Ronald and Gerald Gallardo of California. Many brother and sister-in-laws from the Canales Family; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Special thanks to Dr. Commie Hisey and the staff at Gonzales Memorial Hospital and at Main Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.

Visitation will be 1-7 on Monday, January 14, 2019, A Rosary will follow. Funeral services will be at 2:00 on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at St. James Catholic Church. Interment to follow at the Catholic Cemetery in Gonzales.

Funeral arrangements by Buffington Funeral Home.