Bences Montoya Obituary (1926

Bences Montoya passed away during the morning hours of Friday August 23rd, 2019. He lived a long and meaningful life. Family was his pride and joy and he worked hard to provide for his wife of 72 years, Bernice, and their five children: Rosalie, Lorraine, James, Arlene, and Michael. The love shared between "Ben" and Bernice has been an inspiration to the generations that followed. Together they raised a loving, committed, and tightly woven family that serves as a testament to the values instilled by this remarkable couple. Bences was born "Wenceslao Montoya" on July 3rd, 1926 to Napoleon Trujillo and Josefita Montoya in Cuba, New Mexico. His family had settled for many generations in the area and had roots stretching back to times when the area passed from U.S. to Mexico rule and back again. In the 1950's, he moved to Salt Lake City with his wife's extended family in search of work when farming in the region---which had endured for generations before him-became too difficult to sustain. Prior to that time, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War Two. After arriving in Salt Lake City, Ben worked at Kennecott Copper for over 30 years before retiring. For several years, he owned the Pastime Lounge in Midvale. When he could get away, he took every opportunity to go back home to visit family in New Mexico and he also loved camping and trips to Wendover. His personality filled every room that he entered and those that knew him experienced him as warm, loving, affable, and light-hearted in the way that you hope the important men in your life should be. Like every challenge thrown his way, he fought cancer and dementia bravely and fiercely. He is survived by his wife Bernice, his daughters Rosalie (Richard) Prime, Lorraine Sanchez, Arlene Montoya (Gustavo Ortiz), 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sons James and Michael, his parents, and siblings Belarmino Trujillo, Heraclio Trujillo, Frutoso Trujillo, Gavina Sanchez, Rufina Lovato, Seferino Montoya, Prescilla Valdez, Florence Montoya, Leonor Trujillo. His family will miss him deeply. Special thank you to Dad's family for their loving care especially to his granddaughter Jeanette, and also to Good Shepherd Hospice, especially to Kim, Brooklyn, Barbara and Sonnie and also thank you to Paul. A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, August 30, at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4501 West 5215 South. A vigil service will be held Thursday, August 29, at 7:00 p.m. at Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary, 372 East 100 South, where friends may call from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Committal, Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South. Go to odonnellandsons.com for full obituary.