Benjamin Buendia Danabar Sr.

Benjamin Danabar, Sr. passed away peacefully on August 4, 2023, at the age of 82. He was born on November 10, 1940, in a small province called Calabanga, Camarines Sur, Bicol, Philippines. Ben had four sisters and three brothers. He was an athlete and played volleyball in college.

After college, he moved to Manila and worked several jobs for a few years. He then married his first wife, Betzi, and they had four children: Sheila, Bet, Bem, and Ben. He started his own construction company, which he ran successfully for many years. He moved to California in 1986.

Ben met his second wife, Mary Ann, in California. They were married in 1991 and resided in San Jose, where they raised their two children, Bambie and John John. Ben was a hands-on dad to both Bambie and John John. He belonged to the San Jose Tennis Club and enjoyed staying active by spending hours on the court.

When Ben was not driving with his family to the casinos, LA, or other holiday destinations, he played tennis with his friends. Ben lived his life unapologetically his way. He was a very determined man. He ran a care home with his wife, Mary Ann, while raising Bambie and John John. Ben enjoyed being a doting, caring stay-at-home dad to them. Mary Ann and Ben were blessed with 32 years of marriage filled with decades of love and dedication towards each other.

Ben loved hosting big gatherings with his family and friends. He was a Johnny Walker whiskey and karaoke aficionado. My Way, A Portrait of My Love, and Let Me Try Again were a few of his go-to song selections. He was in his element when he was entertaining and cooking for a big group of family and friends. He was charismatic, the life of the party, and made everyone laugh with his one-liner jokes and zingers. Ben was the consummate entertainer, yet he remained a farm boy at heart. He grew oranges, persimmons, bottle gourds, and limes in his backyard. At one point, he even had roosters in his backyard - to the dismay of his neighbors.

Ben showed his love for his children by cooking their favorite meals. He was an exceptional cook, so skillful that exact measurements and recipes were never needed. Lucky for us, he thoughtfully and lovingly shared his secrets with Bambie and taught her how to cook all the family favorites.

Ben's spirit, drive, and determination will live on in our hearts as we continue to share our love and support for one another. Let's honor his memory by living our lives with the same passion and determination. Perhaps it's not too late for one of us to take tennis lessons and continue his passion and love for the sport.

Ben is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his children, Sheila (Matt), Bet (Mike), Bem (Doug), Ben (Manette), Bambie, and John John; his sisters, Esther, Yeye, Mama Aba, and Belen; his grandchildren, Daniel, Jadon, Maya, Chace, Benito, Miko, Jacob, Joshua, and Celyn; and his beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.