Benjamin D. Gonzales; Longtime Postal Worker

Benjamin D. Gonzales, a Santa Paula resident who was awarded the Purple Heart during World War II, died Sunday, his 51st wedding anniversary. He was 78.

Gonzales was born March 31, 1919, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. When he was 4, his parents moved the family to Santa Paula. Gonzales served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was injured in the Battle of the Bulge. After his discharge, he returned to Santa Paula, where he became a clerk at the local post office.

“He was very kind and caring, and he had a lot of friends,” said Gonzales’ son, Benjamin Jr., of Santa Paula. “He knew a lot of people because of his work--he worked at the post office, at the front window. People still say they miss him.”

Gonzalez was a devoted family man who took his four children on camping trips to Yosemite each summer, family members said. When Benjamin Jr. joined Little League, his father became an umpire. When his sons joined the Boy Scouts, he became a Scout leader.

After he retired in 1980 with 28 years in the U.S. Postal Service, Gonzalez and his wife, Virginia, bought a motor home and traveled throughout the country. The couple visited Mexico several times, and Gonzales took his wife to Europe, where he showed her the places in France and England that he had seen during World War II.

“He liked photography and took a lot of pictures in Europe and on our camping trips,” Benjamin, Jr. said.

Gonzalez also devoted time to his community. A dedicated member of El Buen Pastor Methodist Church, he regularly visited inmates in the Ventura County Jail to conduct Bible study. He also attended church services each Saturday at Twin Pines Nursing Home.

In addition to his wife and son Benjamin Jr., Gonzalez is survived by his son Pat; two daughters, Joyce Marquez and Irma Flug, and eight grandchildren, all of Santa Paula.

Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Pierce Brothers Stetler Chapel. A service will be held Thursday at El Buen Pastor Methodist Church in Santa Paula. Burial will follow at Santa Paula Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary in Santa Paula.