Ben L. Manfre

Ben L. Manfre

January 08, 1934 - August 27, 2019
Laguna Hills CA

Ben L. Manfre

January 08, 1934 - August 27, 2019
Laguna Hills CA

Obituary

Ben L. Manfre, age 85, passed away on August 27, 2019 with his beloved wife of 62 years, Gladys J. Manfre at his side. Born January 8, 1934 in San Jose, California, Ben was the son of Italian immigrants, Benedict and Rose Manfre. He graduated from San Jose State University in 1956 as a civil engineer. After a brief stint at Kaiser Aluminum, he joined the Navy and completed officer’s training. He met Gladys in Chicago in 1957 and they were married four months later. He moved her to California while he was a communication officer on a destroyer off the coast of Japan. In 1960, he began a long and distinguished career in food machinery manufacturing. He held many executive positions and became President of Food Machinery Corporation (FMC), International Division. He traveled the world and had a great love of different foods and cultures. He took Gladys when he could and they enjoyed many adventures, continuing their travels until a few years ago. After leaving corporate America, Ben continued to consult and briefly owned a precast concrete company. During his retirement, his love of gardening was put to use as he became the resident rose expert at Laguna Hills Nursery. His garden at home contains over 250 rose bushes. Ben loved to learn and was an avid reader. His Catholic faith and love of family sustained him all his life. 

In addition to Gladys, Ben is survived by his three daughters, Robin Jacobson (Bryan), Pamela Roy (Paul) and Cynthia Manfre-Valdes; eight grandchildren, Ryan Jacobson (Brittni), Meghan McKillop (Adam), Corey Jacobson (Amanda), Emily, Rachel and Allison Roy, Remy and Vincent Valdes; and three great-grandchildren, Hunter, Kinslee and Colton Jacobson. In his later years, Ben developed Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), a bone marrow failure disorder and memorial contributions can be made to the MDS Foundation (https://www.mds-foundation.org/donate/). 

 

Funeral Mass

  • Date & Time: September 6, 2019 (10:00 AM)
  • Venue: Corpus Christi Catholic Church
  • Location: 27231 Aliso Viejo Parkway Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 - (Get Directions)

No Charities & Donations

No Gallery Photos

No Videos

13 responses to Ben L. Manfre

  1. Eric Sharp says:

    My thoughts go out to the family

  2. I had the privilege of knowing Grandpa Manfre for only 13 years but in the short time I had with him, he always warmed my heart! I’m thankful to grandpa for his upbeat attitude, always kind and wise words and of course his wonderful grandson Ryan. Without grandpa I wouldn’t have my two beautiful boys Hunter and Colton! Although the boys and I cannot be there to celebrate his life, we will be there in spirit. We are all so blessed to have grandpa watching us grow and protecting us from above! We are sending love and light to all our family!!

    Brittni, Hunter and Colton Jacobson

  3. Caro Ben, ti scrivo in italiano perché mi piace ricordare le nostre origini. Con enorme tristezza abbiamo appreso la notizia della tua perdita, le lacrime hanno preso il sopravvento nel nostro viso ricordando la tua bella persona e i felici momenti passati insieme. Non dimenticherò mai il modo in cui ci hai ospitato parecchie volte in casa tua e il tuo proverbiale sorriso. Spero che lassù possa incontrare il resto della mia famiglia….Con te se ne va probabilmente l’ultimo dei mie parenti della passata generazione e anche un pezzo delle nostre vite. Conoscere te e la tua famiglia è stato certamente un grande piacere e un grande privilegio. Rido ancora a pensare quando mi correggevi nella lingua italiana e mi dicevi che cipolla si dice cipudda…. e devo ammettere che anche tuo è un pò di merito del mio matrimonio, come diceva anche mia madre. Senza di te non avremmo fatto il giro delle chiese di Palermo con Rossana mia moglie e forse non mi sarei convinto molto in fretta. Grazie di tutto Ben,
    sicuramente ci mancherai….. Livio e Maria

Leave A Condolence

Choose a Candle