Benjamin Patricio

1928 - 2021

Benjamin Patricio obituary, 1928-2021, Los Banos, CA

Benjamin Patricio

1928 - 2021

BORN

1928

DIED

2021

Benjamin Patricio Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 20, 2021.
Benjamin Patricio
March 21, 1928 - June 11, 2021
Los Banos, California - Owning and operating one of the most successful supermarkets in the region didn't keep Ben Patricio from always being there for his family and his community.
The Los Banos native and outdoor enthusiast died on June 11. He was 93.
Patricio's father, Anthony Borges Patricio, established Patricio Grocery in 1923. When the elder Patricio died in 1962, his sons — Ben and Anthony "Pat" Patricio — took over the business. The brothers grew the firm and in 1975 entered into a unique arrangement with Save Mart Supermarkets. The brothers switched to the Save Mart name and became the supermarket chain's only franchise store.
Lynn Patricio, one of Ben's five daughters and a retired Save Mart store manager, said Save Mart's chairman and CEO at the time, was impressed by their integrity and how they treated people.
"Bob Piccinini would always tell me that this kind of merger or franchise would never have worked with anyone else, but my dad and uncle," she said.
Ben met Norma Paradiso, his wife to be, in junior high school. They were paired as mixed-double partners in tennis. "Dad said he was always so attracted to mom," said daughter Beth Bates.
The couple married in Aug. 1, 1948. The newlyweds' honeymoon was a road trip to Carmel, Monterey, and Lake Tahoe. The young couple camped and fished along the trip. They would have been married 73 years in August and were together for 78 years.
Running a major business is a taxing job, but Ben always had time available for his daughters. "Dad was my cheerleader through college," said Susan Patricio. "If I ever felt homesick or overwhelmed in my first year at the University of San Francisco, he would quickly drive to San Francisco for an encouragement dinner with me."
His daughters recalled memorable family road trips to Oregon, Washington, and Canada. There also were many vacation trips to Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove and Aptos.
Ben introduced his girls to deer and duck hunting, fly fishing and skiing. He lovingly taught them how to ski by first putting them between his legs and having them hold him as they went down the slope. "It was a very heart-warming way to learn how to ski," said Beth. "We've had many wonderful trips and we have many wonderful memories."
Ben was on-call as a Los Banos volunteer fireman for many years. His community service included memberships in the Los Banos Rotary Club and the California Grocers Association. Many awards and recognitions came Ben's way throughout the years. He was very proud of his induction into the Los Banos High School Historical Society Hall of Fame in 2012.
An avid fly fisherman, Ben fished in Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Mexico, Canada, and throughout California. A huge 21-pound steelhead hooked from Oregon's Umpqua River, landed Ben on the Sports page of the Los Banos Enterprise, Feb. 21, 2006 edition. "I had the greatest fishing of my life," he said.
Meanwhile, the Patricio-Save Mart partnership continued to blossom. The Patricios in 1987 built a new supermarket on Pacheco Boulevard. The Los Banos store was one of the highest volume stores in the Save Mart chain and remained in the top five stores while owned by the brothers.
After Pat's death in 1996, Ben decided to sell the business to Save Mart in 1998. He said it wasn't the same without his brother Pat.
A sister, Rosemary Patricio Woodruff; and son-in-laws Jim Bates (Beth); and Tim Sonnenburg (Susan); preceded Ben in death. He is survived by his wife, Norma Patricio; sisters Erma Frances "Frannie" Patricio Casella, and Natalene "Nini" Patricio Freitas; daughters, Susan Patricio Sonnenburg, Mary Jane Reed (Don), Lynn Patricio (Kristi), Beth Bates and Joan Bestone (Rick); 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. June 23 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1621 Center Ave., Los Banos, with cemetery service to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Covenant Care Hospice, 125 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 1A, Turlock, CA 95380 and The American Cancer Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Benjamin Patricio's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

June 26, 2021

Pete LindstrNd posted to the memorial.

June 22, 2021

Steve Teranishi posted to the memorial.

June 22, 2021

Robert M Vogt posted to the memorial.

3 Entries

Pete LindstrNd

June 26, 2021

Humble condolences to your family. Ben was a great man.

Steve Teranishi

June 22, 2021

Dear Norma & Family,
I am so sad to learn of Ben's passing. Even though we knew this sad day would come eventually, we're never fully prepared for it, when it finally does arrive. I am grateful to have known such a fine gentleman, if only for a few fishing trips with Mark & Jack & Pete. He always made the trips so much more fun, because of his good-natured attitude (and the fact that he liked to cook!). Thank you for sharing him with us "boys" for a few days. We all have many cherished memories of our good times and good food together. With Ben always in our hearts, he'll continue to live on.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Steve Teranishi
Merced, CA

Robert M Vogt

June 22, 2021

Growing up in Los Banos in the 40s and 50s Patricio's was the mainstay for all groceries. You were always made to feel welcome by Ben and Pats personal greetings!

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results

Whitehurst Funeral Chapels Inc

1840 S Center Ave, Los Banos, CA 93635

Make a Donation
in Benjamin Patricio's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

How to support Benjamin's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Benjamin Patricio's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Benjamin Patricio's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

June 26, 2021

Pete LindstrNd posted to the memorial.

June 22, 2021

Steve Teranishi posted to the memorial.

June 22, 2021

Robert M Vogt posted to the memorial.