Benny M. Velasquez

Surrounded by his family, Benny Mark Velasquez, 81, of Kansas City North, was reunited with his beloved wife on December 16, 2012. After a 12 year battle with Parkinson’s Benny passed away at the NorthCare Hospice House. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Thursday, December 20th at St. Gabriel Catholic Church with burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. Friends may call from 5-8 PM Wednesday at the McGilley Antioch Chapel where a Prayer Service will be at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to NorthCare Hospice.

Benny was born October 7, 1931 in Kansas City, MO to Francisco C. and Felicitas (Campos) Velasquez. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict. He married Delphina Medina in 1956 and enjoyed 54 years of marriage before her passing in 2010. Benny was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church where he also sang in the Choir for many years. He retired in 1979 from Armco Steel Co and then went on to work 10 years for Brinks Security. Later he retired as a bus driver for the North Kansas City School District. Benny was a deeply dedicated man, committed to his faith & his family. He was a mentor & coach, not only in the sport of baseball that he loved so much but in life; leaving a deep impression on all that he came in contact with throughout his well lived life. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed traveling to all his grandchildren’s sporting events. He also enjoyed singing, playing the harmonica and telling tales that entertained all. In addition to his wife Delphina, he was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 sisters, Hope (Velasquez) Diaz and Juanita (Velasquez) Martinez.

Survivors include a daughter Marty (Kent) Flanders, and sons Matt Velasquez, Ed (Jeannie) Velasquez, and Chris (Amy) Velasquez; 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; 4 brothers Frank (Trini) Velasquez, Adolph (Lucy) Velasquez, Guillermo (Phyllis) Velasquez and Rudy (Karen) Velasquez; and 5 sisters Lilly (Velasquez) Murillo, Sara (Velasquez) Medina, Rachel (Velasquez) Contreras, Esther (Velasquez) (Elias) Salinas and Rosalie (Velasquez) (Abel) DePeralta.