Sombrillo Nursing Facility and the Betty Ehart and White Rock Senior Centers have been the beneficiaries of Benny's musical talents on accordion and vibraphones. He has also entertained service organizations throughout northern New Mexico. Benny came to work in Los Alamos as a dishwasher and busboy in the summer of 1944. After serving eighteen months in the Army, Benny returned to Los Alamos on May 24, 1948 to live and work. He retired as a captain in the fire department, then worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a radiation monitor. When he retired in 1990, his badge was forty-two years old. Twice widowed, Benny married Eutimia "Timmie" Gallegos on October 23, 1950. They had three daughters, Venita, Bertha, and Mercedes. He married Irma Dall on February 23, 1985, and became step-father to Alicia, Terry, and Wayne. Benny helped set up stations for United Blood Services drives, provided support for those running the Bandelier Marathon, and played music for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and the Alzheimer's Memory Walk. He is also a member of Civitans.

Written by Karen Nilsson Brandt, copyright ©