Olger Florencio Benavides

Olger Florencio Benavides Villagomez, born to Cesar Augusto Benavides Perez and Julia Constantina Villagomez Zelarayan, passed away peacefully March 5th at 1:25AM, surrounded by his family and loved ones, after a 2yr and 8 months fight with cancer. He was initially given a 12-month or less prognosis, but he beat the prognosis and was blessed with quality of life through those months. He said, "I feel strong enough for another ten years". There are many family members in the Benavides and Villagomez lineage that have lived beyond 100 years of age; Olger was going to be one of them, if it wasn't for the cancer that ultimately took his life.

The strength, persistence, and sense of responsibility began at a very young age. As the eldest male in a family of seven siblings, he would work during schools breaks at the age of 16 helping sell cattle for his father, in their hometown of Charcana, in southern Peru. After a few years, he and his eldest sibling, his sister Nancy, realized they needed to step-up and support the family when their father became ill and had to stay in the capital, Lima, for treatment. Without hesitation, Olger took over the family's cattle business and began to provide for the large family; it was an early reflection of the selflessness, humility and determination that would define his life.

One remarkable story, Olger took 30 cattle from his hometown of Charcana over a 2-month journey, traveling 720 miles (1,1,60km) walking to Lima and sold all the cattle. With the proceeds, Olger and his father bought a home in Callao for the entire family to relocate from Charcana. Shortly after, they invested in a fine ceramics factory, where Olger continued to demonstrate the same hard-working spirit and deep commitment to providing for his family.

It was in the ceramic factory where Olger, met the love of his life, Martha Cristina Iturregui Ostolaza, known affectionately as "Pocha". With his "Pochita" he started his own family when they married in 1964 and had their first child, Elsie, their only daughter. At this time, he decided to leave Peru and immigrate to Washington, D.C. to join other pioneers in the family and to provide his own family with an opportunity for a better life. Over the years, Olger's family grew with two more children, sons, Cesar and Olger Luis (Coco). In those early days in the 70s and 80s, they built lifelong bonds amongst family and many friends. Olger and Pocha's home hosted many, many gatherings, such as anniversaries, birthdays, holidays which always included Pocha's delicious home cooked Peruvian dishes. They enjoyed dancing late into the night, and Olger loved making his homemade spirit called "Chuchuhuasi", originating from Rioja Peru, the birthplace of his beloved brother in-law Manuel Grandez, who is married to Olger's sister Rebecca.

Olger provided for his family working at the Washington Hilton for 45 years until he finally retired at the age of 75. His coworkers were amazed at his ability to work double shifts up until that age meticulous and thorough; Olger taught them everything he knew. Like his father, Olger was known for teaching and passing on life lessons; his father Cesar was a teacher in Charcana. Those life lessons came from the heart, which came through in the many speeches he would give throughout his life at family gatherings. His loving speeches were long but powerful when he spoke; he commanded the room as he had great presence and was a true patriarch.

In 1999, his beloved and dear wife "Pochita" passed away at a young age of 56 from her own battle of cancer. Pocha never got to meet her grandchildren who came later. Olger's family grew by first grandsons from his daughter Elsie, and then his first and only granddaughter another grandson from his son Cesar. Finally, one more grandson from his son Coco.

Olger married his second wife of 19 years Encarnacion "Enky" who added a new chapter in his life. These years with Enky included traveling to Greece, Niagara Falls, Bahamas, Venice, Rome, Rioja Peru and many more destinations. He enjoyed and participated in a range of family time events from camping, to cooking Thanksgiving turkey, making Peruvian hot chocolate for Christmas or playing 'sapo' a traditional Peruvian game where you toss bronze coins; the family bond remained strong.

Olger was loved and respected by all who knew him, even those who had just met him. It was clear he was a great man, honorable, honest, selfless, kind, humble, and just, the latter being his strongest characteristic which he carries from his father. He welcomed those who he knew or met for the first time with a big, open heart to all. Dancing at weddings, joking in social gatherings, hosting in his home with an immediate shot of chuchuhuasi or his piña colada was his custom, even into his final days.

Olger's presence will be greatly missed, and he leaves a great void in all of our lives. We believe he is with us in spirit and has started his eternal chapter of life in the afterlife back with his loved ones which includes his parents, aunts and uncles, and his dear Pochita.

Celebration of Life

MARCH 14, 2026 at 1PM

Olger's Home

5313 Nutting Dr.

Springfield, VA 22151