Benny Tano

Benny Tano passed away in Portland, Oregon at the age of 81. He was born to Harry and Rose Tano on Valentine’s Day 1934 in Delta, Colorado. On this special day, his parents decided to give him the middle name of “Valentino” which is an Italian origin that means brave or strong. In his teenage years, the family moved to Ontario, Oregon where he attended Ontario high school and worked on the farms weeding onions and harvesting potatoes. In Ontario he met the love of his life Alice Tano (Nakano). Still young at heart and full of adventure, he joined the Army in 1956 at the age of 22. He served as Special Third class rifleman in Germany but toured other parts of Europe. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Ontario only to find the love of his life would soon move to Portland, Oregon. Of course, there was no question and he had to follow her to Portland. Benny and Alice were married in 1959. They celebrated 56 years of marriage on October 3, 2015. In Portland they made a home for themselves raising three daughters and making friends for life. His character of dedication and hard work is evident as he was employed at Northwest Retreader’s for 45 years before retirement. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, bowling, gardening, gambling, and a good bottle of scotch. He was also famously known for his homemade chili. His music taste ranged from Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman, Celion Dion to Luciano Pavarotti and classical music. He had a special talent of putting things together or fixing things in a nontraditional fashion to everyone’s surprise. His creative mind resulted in a beautiful garden that was the envy of the neighborhood and those that came to visit. He was a devoted and loving husband, caring and nurturing father, a proud grandfather and great grandfather. He will be remembered as a person full of life who cherished his friends and family. Those that were lucky to meet Benny instantly built a connection. Even a perfect stranger would find a friendship in him, if only for a few passing moments.

Benny was preceded in death by his father, Harry Tano, mother Rose Tano, brothers Harry Jr and Sam Tano. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Alice Tano, daughters Nanette (Brad) Magee, Cynthia (Doug) Tathwell, Kim (Dave) Tano-Weaver all of Portland; grandchildren Sean Magee (Katrina) of Arkansas, Chanell Magee, Trace Tathwell and Max Weaver-Tano of Portland; great grandchildren Ava and Bryson Magee of Arkansas and his sister Melinda Pressley of Vale, Oregon. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. He was loved by many and will be missed by all. The world will be a little less bright without him.

Funeral Services will be held at the Oregon Buddhist Temple on January 28, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. The following day a private Military committal ceremony will be held for close friends and family at Willamette National Cemetery.