Benedicto N. Padron

Benedicto, son of Pedro and Rosa, was born on December 6, 1927, in San Juan y Martinez, a town in the Pinar del Rio Province of Cuba. He was the oldest of 6 kids: 4 sisters (Carmen Cabrera, Lida Guerrero, Zuni Fassett, Ida Padron) and brother (Orlando Padron).

He left his family at 18 years old to work at Coney Island in Havana, where he later met the love of his life, Alejandrina (Ina) Alvarez. Shortly after getting married, they migrated to the United States and had 3 daughters (Shirley, Mary, Dolores). Benedicto worked several jobs at once to raise his family and help bring the rest of his family from Cuba. He discovered his passion for upholstery and started “Benny’s Upholstery” in Fort Lauderdale in 1970. He was a perfectionist who loved his trade and making his customers happy.

In addition to working hard, Benedicto dedicated his life to his family. After Ina’s passing in 2001, he spent his days enjoying his grandchildren (Shirley, Jorge, Alejandrina, Kristina, Jennifer, Yna) and great-grandchildren (Mia, Alyna, Mateo, Ananda).

Benedicto was a special soul - someone who truly touched anyone he came across, no matter how briefly. He loved working, spending time with family, dancing, watching Marlins baseball games, and playing dominoes. He lived his life centered around his faith in God and prayed a rosary daily to protect those he loved and always be connected to those he’d lost.

His family will miss his energy, love, and light; however, find peace knowing he lived a life without suffering and is reunited with Ina and his family in Heaven. As he said in his last few days, “I find peace knowing God’s light is near and after so many years of waiting, I will be reunited with the love of my life, making it the happiest moment in his life.”