Benezette was elder, longtime resident

DOWNEY - Services were recently held for longtime Downey resident Harry G. "Ben" Benezette, at Downey Memorial Christian Church.Benezette passed away Jan. 23, just two weeks short of his 99th birthday, after a short illness. He was born and raised in and around Clinton, Mo. He and his wife, Stella, had been married more than 75 years, having their first date when they were 15 years old. They married and started their family in Kansas City before moving to Downey in 1955, where they had resided in the same home. Benezette worked for General Motors for 25 years before entering the aerospace industry and retiring from North American Rockwell (Boeing). He was a 75-year member of the Masonic order, having recently been honored with the Hiram award. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Temple in Long Beach. Along with his wife, Benezette was a charter member of Downey Memorial Christian Church, helping establish the congregation in 1958. He served in many leadership roles during the years, including elder, deacon, trustee and chairman of the board. Benezette and his wife enjoyed traveling in their motor home, and also took trips to Europe and cruises to Hawaii and Alaska. He is survived by his wife, Stella, of Downey; son, Larry (Juanita), of Lee's Summit, Mo.; daughter, Cindy Earl (Al), of Pollock Pines, Calif.; eight grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Craig Wood.

********** Published: February 26, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 45