Bennie "Benito" Alonzo

Bennie "Benito" Alonzo, 98, of Golden, died peacefully at
Harmony Point Nursing Care Center in Lakewood, Colorado, surrounded by those who loved him, on Saturday, October 27, 2012.
He went home to the Lord and joined his Sweetheart, his deceased and
Beloved wife, Annie Silva Alonzo, on what would have been her 93rd birthday. Bennie was a native of Colorado and was born in Manzanola,
to parents Juanita Maria Trujillo Resa and father Ramone Alonzo. He was preceded in death by siblings Caroline Ramirez, Nina
Hernandez, Emily "Jo" Dedmon, and brother Manuel Hernandez.
Also preceding him in death were his daughter Gloria Jean Vasquez, and stepdaughter Lillian Tafoya, both of California along with stepdaughter Juanita "Johnnie" Estrada Franco of Commerce City.
He is survived by his dear sister Arselia "Sally" Garcia of Hudson, Colo., sons Leonard Alonzo (Bella) of Thornton, Ben "Jr." Alonzo
and Richard Alonzo of Los Angeles, California, stepdaughters
Marcie Franco (Lelo), Denver, Rose Davis (Leonard), Northglenn, Pat Reyer (James), Denver, JoAnn Estrada Mast (G. Dale), Golden, and Louie Estrada (Debbie), of Aurora. He also leaves behind numerous grand, great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and cherished friends.

Bennie loved being outdoors, going to the mountains, seeing
the seasons change, traveling, cooking, attending church bazaars and being around family, almost as much as he loved and enjoyed life. Thus, he lived a rich, full life and was considered among family members to be "the last elder, akin to the wise owl" for his great wisdom patience, kindness, introspection and insight.

A dedicated worker with a strong work ethic, Bennie retired from Swift & Company after thirty years. As a youngster, he sold newspapers on
street corners in the famed Five Points area of downtown, Denver, coupled with selling fresh vegetables and fruit from a local farm truck.

As his health began to fail, Bennie attended day care at InnovAge, formerly Total Long Term Care, Cody East Center and resided at
Harmony Pointe Nursing Care Center in Lakewood, the last twenty-one
months of life. While at Harmony Pointe, Bennie enjoyed playing
bingo, going on monthly excursions, participating in cooking class, attending weekly programs, playing cards with other residents and family, and greeting everyone who entered and exited the Care Center,
for he was the unofficial "Greeter" at Harmony Pointe .

Bennie will be most remembered for his infectious smile, gentleness,
kindness and optimism. He touched many lives and created beautiful memories for those he so loved and left behind.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 beginning at 10:00 a.m. with recitation of the Rosary, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at Shrine of Saint Anne Parish located at 7555 Grant Place, Arvada, CO 80002, west of 58th Ave. & Wadsworth Blvd.
(303-420-1280).

Private Graveside Services for family will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Harmony Pointe Nursing Care Center, 1655 Yarrow Street Lakewood, CO 80214 (303-238-1275)
Resident Activities Fund.

"He Is Gone"

You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left behind.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him,
Or you can be full of the love that you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he is gone,
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and
turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want:
Smile, open our eyes, love, and go on.

-David Harkins 1959