Obituary of Jose E. Benavidez

Jose E. “Benny” Benavidez, 88, of Woodhull, passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at Corning Hospital. Benny was born on May 25, 1935 in Mancos, Colorado to the late Joseph and Senaida Sequra Benavidez. He was raised in Colorado. In 1955 Benny enlisted in the US Army, he was stationed in France and ran a forklift for a warehouse and served until 1957. Benny held many positions of employment while living in Colorado. He was a golf caddie at Broadmoor golf course at the age of 15, two couples he caddied for were Mickey Rooney & wife, and baseball player Stan Musial and his wife, he also was a bartender, installed modular homes on building lots, was a talented dry wall installer and finisher. When he was a young boy during the depression he used to take his little red wagon to some nearby railroad tracks and pick up pieces of coal to take home to help his family heat their home. On March 1, 1986, Benny married Mary Jane Groves in Colorado Spring, Colorado. In the late 80’s, they moved to New York which was home to Mary Jane. Mary Jane preceded Benny in death on February 27, 2013. After moving east, Benny worked at the former Polly-O Dairy in Campbell and had been employed at Towner’s Tree Farm in Addison. Benny was dearly loved by his adopted community of Woodhull. He was one of the kindest people that one could hope to encounter. Surviving Benny are his children, Heidi McClure of Denver, CO, James (Dionne) Benavidez of Security, CO and Joseph Benavidez of Pueblo, CO, his step children, Dominica Morelli of Colorado, Philomena (Tom) Roy of Dubois, PA, Susan (Ernie) Bowes of Horseheads, Cheryl Walker (Terry Smith) of Seneca Falls, William Tenny of Pennsylvania, Gerald Walker of Phelps and Robert (Amy) Walker of Phelps, his grandchildren, Michael Benavidez, Isaiah Benavidez, Ryan (Hope) Benavidez, Rebecca Miller, Michelle Musick and Danny Musick and great grandson Caspian Tucci and several niece and nephews. Besides his wife Mary Jane, Benny was preceded in death by his siblings Angie, Ruth, Lee, Cecil, Ralph and Joseph Jr. and his step-son Thomas Morelli. Friends may call on Thursday, May 16 from noon to 2 pm at the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY. Funeral services will follow there at 2 pm with Rev. Brian Diffenbacher officiating. Burial will be in Woodhull Cemetery.