Jesus Benitez

Jesus Benitez passed away on July 14th, 2023, at the age of 54. He was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Carmen and Manuel Benitez. His parents immigrated to the United States from Remedios, Cuba, in 1966 seeking refuge from the Communist revolution. His family moved from New Jersey to Miami, Florida, in 1977, where he lived the rest of his life.

He graduated from West Miami Middle School and South Miami Senior High School, where he played the bass drum for the high school marching band. He was a devoted fan of several Miami sports teams and held season tickets for the Miami Dolphins every year, beginning in the 1990's.

He was an entrepreneurial businessman whose career spanned three decades. He cofounded and managed several businesses, including a pharmacy and a custom motorcycle shop. He had been a weightlifting enthusiast since his teenage years, and one of his life's dreams was to own his own gym. During the past decade, he was able to make his dream a reality. He cofounded Flex Appeal Miami (FAM) at the crossroads of his two passions, bodybuilding and family. He loved his family and often vacationed with his wife to the mountains of North Carolina, the beaches of Southwest Florida, and the Florida Keys.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Castro Benitez; his four children, Jacqueline Gonzalez (Daniel), Alex Castro, Jennifer Castro (Derek Tormes), and Bryan Benitez (Aimée); his five grandchildren, Jason Gonzalez, Jasmine Gonzalez, Angelina Gonzalez, Arthur Tormes, and Lena Tormes; his sister, Marta Benitez; and his father, Manuel Benitez.

A service celebrating his life was held at St. Brendan Church in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 11:00 AM.

Jesús Benítez falleció el 14 de julio de 2023, a la edad de 54 años. Nació en Hoboken, Nueva Jersey, hijo de Carmen y Manuel Benítez. Sus padres emigraron a los Estados Unidos desde Remedios, Cuba, en 1966 buscando refugio de la revolución comunista. Su familia se mudó de Nueva Jersey a Miami, Florida, en 1977, donde vivió el resto de su vida.

Se graduó de West Miami Middle School y South Miami Senior High School, donde tocó el bombo para la banda de marcha de la escuela secundaria. Era un fanático devoto de varios equipos deportivos de Miami y tenía boletos de temporada para los Miami Dolphins todos los años, comenzando en la década de 1990.

Fue un hombre de negocios emprendedor cuya carrera abarcó tres décadas. Cofundó y administró varios negocios, incluida una farmacia y una tienda de motocicletas personalizadas. Había sido un entusiasta del levantamiento de pesas desde su adolescencia, y uno de los sueños de su vida era tener su propio gimnasio. Durante la última década, pudo hacer realidad su sueño. Cofundó Flex Appeal Miami (FAM) en la encrucijada de sus dos pasiones, el culturismo y la familia. Amaba a su familia y, a menudo, iba de vacaciones con su esposa a las montañas de Carolina del Norte, las playas del suroeste de Florida y los Cayos de Florida.

Le sobreviven su esposa, María Castro Benítez; sus cuatro hijos, Jacqueline Gonzalez (Daniel), Alex Castro, Jennifer Castro (Derek Tormes) y Bryan Benitez (Aimée); sus cinco nietos, Jason Gonzalez, Jasmine Gonzalez, Angelina Gonzalez, Arthur Tormes y Lena Tormes; su hermana, Marta Benítez; y su padre, Manuel Benítez.

Se llevó a cabo un servicio para celebrar su vida en la Iglesia St. Brendan en Miami, Florida, el jueves 27 de julio de 2023 a las 11:00 a.m.