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Mr. Benjamin Carrera Aguilar

Obituary

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Benjamin Aguilar Obituary

Published by Forest Lawn - Covina Hills on Dec. 25, 2022.

Benjamin Carrera Aguilar, 85, born on February 22, 1937, in Calexico, CA, United States, passed away December 25, 2022. He resided in La Verne, CA at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Covina Hills, California.

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Albert Juarez-Lujan

January 12, 2023

My Tio Ben was married to my mother's oldest sister Ruby Aguilar, nee Lujan and my very fondest childhood memories were of Ben, Ruby, & my cousins Irene & Anna. They lived down the street in a modest yellow wood frame home with white trim they bought back in the 60's in the North-Eastern part of L.A. in a working-middle class neighborhood of El Sereno. My single mother, Carmen was raising 2 children, my sister Yolanda and myself on minimum wage in a 1 bedroom duplex. No yard & no pets. I loved to visit with the Aguilar's because they had a stable home with a backyard and a pit bull mix - Bruno. My Aunt would laugh at all my corny jokes and my uncle would mentor me in the ways of man hood (50's/60's style). Ben was one of my heroes. He was Army Paratrooper and he was so proud of his silver "Jump Wings" which consisted of a parachute framed by two angelic wings. He wore them on his key ring and I thought then and still do think they were the coolest! He was stationed in Germany during mid to late '50's and he regaled me with his stories of his time in the service. I remember him saying the service straighten him out and kept him out trouble with the local street gang (Geraghty Loma) that ruled the hills of City Terrace where he grew up. When I was kid he was the original "Master Of All Trades". He read Popular Mechanics and he could build a house or fix a car and he would eventually provide me a source of pocket money by teaching me & employing me to paint; mow the lawn; pick up after the dog; etc. He also taught me to change an engine and tune up a VW. He was a body and fender man by trade and when I was in grade school he decided to go to college. He went to East Los Angeles College & Cal State L.A. on the G.I. Bill and became a Bi-Lingual Elementary Grade School Teacher and taught 5th grade at City Terrace Elementary. I married a girl who was best friends with one of his students and she said that he inspired her to make a difference in our community and she became a Bi-Lingual Elementary School Teacher herself at City Terrace Elementary. There's really no way of knowing how many young Mexican-American kids he mentored and influenced, but I know I'm one. He had a great influence me and how I live my life. I have a stable marriage to Holly and I'm family man with three sons Joseph, Elisha & Jude & two grandkids Charlyene & Julian and I'm gainfully employed with the State of California in Fresno, CA. I will always be grateful to Ben & Ruby for their kindness to an El Sereno Kid who's influence in my formative years helped me to not only be a successful husband, father, grandfather, but a good person.

Thank you Tio!

R.I.P.

Your Nephew,

Albert Juarez-Lujan