Ben L. Manfre
January 08, 1934 - August 27, 2019
Laguna Hills CA
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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)
13 responses to Ben L. Manfre
Kay Ward says:
September 1, 2019
Sorry to miss the funeral mass, but you know my love and prayers and with you all. Yes I’ve now been just about as long as I knew my husband. He was a lovable guy I will be going to an extra mass up here just for him. Love to all of you
Matt Warner says:
September 1, 2019
Ben was a wonderful person and someone I feel privileged to know. He was integral in helping Bryan and I start PenSys, Inc. and I will always be grateful to Ben for that. The world lost one of the good ones. Love to Gladys and Ben’s entire family.
Tracey Gluck says:
September 1, 2019
Sending healing hugs to to the family
I met Mr Manfre many times as a sorority sister of both Pam and Cindy
I am so sorry for your loss.
Keep your memories close to your heart and he will always be with you!
Love
Tracey
Lt. Michael Somogyi (USN Ret).) says:
September 2, 2019
Sorry to hear that Ben passed away. From the the time Carolyn and I net Gladys and Ben on our trip down the Danube, we have enjoyed sending emails back and forth over the years. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am looking forward to seeing Ben in Glory – Oh what a day that will be! I Thes.4:11-14.
Bill says:
September 3, 2019
Bill Parks