Photo courtesy of Habing Family Funeral Home
Gilroy, California
Jan 28, 1931 – Feb 8, 2016
Bennie Masayuki Yamane died February 8, 2016. The cause was congestive heart failure. He was 85 years old.
His wife, Carol, son Steven, daughter, Sandra, daughter-in-law Kelly and granddaughters, Emily and Erica, survive Bennie. His eldest son, Chris preceded him in death. He was the brother to Grace (Pat) Limones, Daisy (Harold) Tsujimoto, Nancy Yamane (Bruce) and James (Tadako) Yamane and brother-in-law to Patti (Dallas) Selman, Richard (Nora) Nishimoto, Lynda (Bernard) Lax, Phillip (Ann) Nishimoto, Suzan (Arnie) Lanzillotta and uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Bennie was born in Gilroy and at the age of 11 he, along with all other residents and citizens of Japanese descent, were forcibly removed from their homes and illegally detained in internment camps. Bennie's family was initially sent to Tule Lake and then transferred to Amache, Colorado.
After being released from internment camp, Bennie's family moved to Grand Junction Colorado and farmed until earning enough money to return to Gilroy. Bennie served in the US Army in Germany during the Korean War and when honorably discharged, returned to Gilroy and started farming.
Bennie raised a variety of crops in the Santa Clara and San Joaquin Valley including strawberries tomatoes, cherries, bell peppers, sugar beets, cotton, onions and corn for corn nuts. He was active in the community, serving as past commander of the American Legion Post 669, director and past president of Wheeler Hospital Board, director and past president of the Salinas Golf and Country Club; member and past president of the Gilroy JACL and for many decades, a member of the Thursday night Poker Club.
A memorial service to celebrate Bennie's life will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 10:30 am at Habing Family Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, Bennie's family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Gilroy Foundation, P.O. Box 774 Gilroy, CA 95021.
Our Deep Sympathy to Mr. Yamane's Family.
Mr. Yamane was a great Employer. In the late 60's I was a teenager working in the strawberry fields along with my family.
We were lucky to work for him. He was kind, caring and very fair with all his employees.
We are very sorry for your loss. He will be missed by hundreds of us Migrants that knew him well.
May he Rest In Peace.
Love, and Prayers,
The Rangel and Rosales Families
February 19, 2016 | Gustine, CA
Carol, Our deepest sympathy to you & your family on the loss of Bennie. It was a pleasure to have known him.
Marian & Min Niiyama, Gilroy
February 18, 2016
Carol, I met you and Bennie 48 yeas ago when we first moved to Gilroy. Bennie had a good life and a great family. God bless you and his family. I look forward to seeing you in the near future.
Janet Clifford
February 13, 2016 | Gilroy, CA
Carol my condolences to you and your family .
roy Sumisaki
February 12, 2016 | Gilroy, CA
Carol,I was so sorry to hear about Bennie! I have missed waiting on you at the Gilroy Bowl and Sandy will miss you at the Longhouse. Love to you and your family! Karen Fortino Covington
February 10, 2016
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Rick & Cece Jaszewski
February 10, 2016 | Gilroy, CA