Benjamin Santos Son

Benjamin was born in Marikina, Philippines to Chuana and Lydia Son on January 6, 1939. He graduated from medical school at Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines in 1964. He immigrated to the USA for medical internship in Elizabeth, NJ followed by residency in Philadelphia, PA before moving to Detroit, MI, where he completed a fellowship and also held a teaching position through University of Michigan Medical School at Wayne County General Hospital. There, he met a nurse named Diane Richards and the two married on December 12, 1970 in Ypsilanti, MI. In 1973, they moved to St. Joseph, MI, where Benjamin worked as a cardiologist at Mercy Memorial Hospital for 25 years before retiring in 1998. During this time, he co-founded and served as medical director for Mercy Memorial’s Heart Center, bringing advanced cardiac care to residents of Southwestern Michigan and saving many lives in the community. He was inducted as a fellow in the American College of Cardiology in 1983. Benjamin enjoyed playing golf (once shooting a hole-in-one), studying history, and was an avid traveler, visiting over 60 countries in his lifetime.

Benjamin is preceded in death by his parents Chuana and Lydia, older brothers Nomer and Liling, and sister-in-law Del.

Benjamin is survived by his wife of 53 years Diane, son Patrick, daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Steve, son Matthew and daughter-in-law Adrian, brother Rody and sister-in-law Tessie, brother Jaime and sister-in-law Luchi, brother David and sister-in-law Nelia, sisters-in-law Pinky and Virgie, and granddaughters Sarah and Autumn.

A family remembrance will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.