Joseph BENVENUTI

BENVENUTI, Joseph
Aged 91 years, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2012. A preacher's son, he was born in Canada of Italian immigrants, subsequently emigrating to New Jersey where he lived until he and his young family moved to California in 1949. He was a man of remarkable accomplishments who began working at the age of 5 shining shoes, and never stopped until his 90th year. Forced to leave school after the eighth grade to help support his family which totaled 16 children, his resourcefulness was evident early on. After serving in the US Army during World War II, he started his first business which involved door-to-door delivery of imported Italian foods to the local immigrant population in Rutherford, NJ. When supermarkets began to dominate the grocery business in the East, he took his life savings and headed west. Upon his arrival in California, he came to Sacramento where he began building duplexes, then single family homes and apartments. A chance meeting with Buzz Oates at a local church led to a very successful handshake partnership that would go on to develop and build millions of square feet of industrial and commercial buildings in the greater Sacramento area. He was involved in the development of three Sacramento landmark projects: the Hyatt Hotel, the Emerald Tower, and the Renaissance Tower. Joseph was also an original and majority owner of the Sacramento Kings when they relocated from Kansas City, and played an integral role in the development and construction of both Kings' arenas. He was still involved with the team at the time of his death, being the largest limited partner in the ownership group. Mr. Benvenuti also supported charities that built schools and provided food and fresh water for villages in Africa, and contributed to local schools, churches and colleges.

Energetic and enthusiastic until the end of his life, he traveled extensively, eager to immerse himself in new cultures and visit relatives in Italy. Joseph was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Nancy. He is survived by four children, Richard, Nancy (Allan), Gary (Martha), and Lynda (Chris); 12 grandchildren: Deron, Carrie, Roman, and Nancy; Brian and Tricia; Joseph, Lia and Elena; Ryan, Jake, and Alexis; and 11 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind three sisters and two brothers. The service will be held at Capital Christian Center on June 7th at 1:00 PM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers remembrances can be made to a charity of your choice.