Felix Benavidez Sainz Sr.

Felix Benavidez Sainz, Sr. age 91 passed away on November 15, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. He was the descendant of many generations of Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Native people that were some of the earliest settlers in the region now known as the state of New Mexico. He was born on March 24,1933 to Quirino Sainz and Gabriella Benavidez in an adobe home in Dona Ana County near the Rio Grande River, in the State of New Mexico.

Felix Sr. the youngest son in a large family, grew up during the hard times of the Great Depression. As a boy, he picked cotton, drove a horse drawn wagon harvesting corn, hunted, fished and foraged in the hills to help provide for his family. His family endured discrimination, poverty, and rations imposed during World War II while his older brothers were in Europe fighting the war and serving our country. He wore handmade clothing and learned how to survive with very little. He learned much on his own and by watching his elders who instilled a very deep faith in God. As he grew to manhood, He eventually learned carpentry, surveying, and civil engineering when he worked for the local natural gas company.

He married Margarita Elisa Borunda in 1953 and they moved to California then to Glendale, Arizona to find work. He worked in the local grocery as a butcher and stocking produce, and he served in the police reserve in Glendale. He finally was given sponsorship in the carpenters union and went to night school to become an apprentice, journeyman, and a master carpenter. He worked for John F. Long to build homes and for Del E. Webb where he helped to build the first houses in the ever-expanding retirement community of Sun City. He was a foreman and a lead builder. In his 50-year career he worked to build custom homes, commercial buildings, churches, and schools. He built his own home and provided for his wife and helped raise three children. All the while expanding his knowledge and identifying possibilities and putting good ideas into action. He was an entrepreneurial person with big dreams, always eager to fix, restore, and improve things that were useful. He enjoyed inventing things, antiques, classic cars, music, and good conversation.

Felix, Sr. is survived by sons Felix Jr. (Melanie) of Phoenix and Jaime (Diane) of Roseville, California, daughter Teresita (Victor) Reynoso of Peoria, a sister Rita of California, grandchildren Amado, Felisia, Victor III., Krystalina and three great grandchildren Aliya, Sophia, Liam, and an extended family too numerous to name. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margarita Elisa Sainz, siblings, Juan, Jose, Manuel, Felipe, Quirino, Perfecto, Maria, Andrea, Estefana.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00pm, November 25, 2024 Resthaven Park Cemetery, 6450 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85301. Deacon Dennis will officiate.