Obituary: Benedicto G. Menor, The Oldest Filipino American Voter For Obama
Benedicto G. Menor may have passed away early this week yet his legacy lives on. He was the oldest NaFFAA member (in absentia) in the Northern California region. Although the last NaFFAA R8 Summit he attended was in 2003 at the Northside Community Center in San Jose, CA, he stayed in touch with our members. Some of us were there during his 100th Birthday Celebration in 2007, travelling from all over the US — and beyond. We also have our own stories about Benedicto G. Menor’s acts of kindness and generosity. We will miss him!
The Memorial and Funeral Services schedule is at the bottom of this entry.
Joanie Cordova said: “Benedicto Menor Sr voted for Barack Obama … before he died 28 October 2008. His life inspires many of us.”
Thank you to Emil Siapno for putting this video on Vimeo.com.
TFI’s Balitang America reporter, Henni Espinosa, wrote this video story about Benedicto G. Menor.
Oldest Obama Voter from Emil Siapno on Vimeo.
March 15, 1907 – October 28, 2008
Benedicto Galindo Menor was born on March 15, 1907 in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, He was one of the 100,000 sakadas and manongs (early 1906-1933 overseas Filipino workers) who arrived in the United States to work in the fields of Hawaii and California, armed with an optimistic mindset in fulfilling his American Dream.
During World War II, Benedicto proudly served as a member of the Leyte Landing’s Filipino First and Second Regiments of the US Army that arrived with General Douglas MacArthur. During the “mop-up operation,” Benedicto was introduced to his future wife in Villaba, Leyte, a strikingly beautiful Visayan named Espectacion Menor (no relation), who was 20 years his junior.
After Benedicto became a citizen of the United States in 1946, he went back to the Philippines and brought his family to Santa Clara Valley in California. The three oldest children who had been born in the Philippines were Rose Mary, Betty, and Benny Benedicto (a.k.a. Ben Menor). Benedicto and Espec were blessed with six children: five girls and one boy. Like most fathers, he wanted another boy after Ben was born. The couple tried three more times — and three more daughters arrived: Rita (deceased), Anna, and Darlene. He was 52 years old when Darlene was born.
A family friend recently wrote, “Mr. Benedicto Menor was an exemplary centenarian who left a rich legacy for his family.”
Rose Mary Miguel, the oldest sibling, acknowledged that their father had indeed raised his family to honor inclusivity in their social, political, cultural, and spiritual values and principles.