Benjamin “Benny” V. Bagalawis, 83, passed away Friday, July 13, 2018. Born in the Philippines, Benny came to the United States in 1955 after joining the U.S. Coast Guard and married the love of his life, Linda, in 1961.
He was a loving husband, father and papa, always putting family first and enjoyed spending time with them. For years, he was an avid bowler and member of many leagues. As a resident of Yorktown since 1972, he retired from the U.S. Coast Guard after 20 years of service. Afterwards, Benny went to work for Anheuser Busch, retiring again in 1996 after 19 years.
Preceded in death by his parents, Gerino and Patricia Bagalawis, Benny is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linda W. Bagalawis of Yorktown; and children, Evelyn DeGuzman of California, Naomi Wheeler of Falls Church, and Erlinda Gleason (Michael), Ben W. Bagalawis (Lisa) and Jennifer Daknis (Mike), all of Yorktown. He is also survived by sisters, Alicia Bagalawis, and her daughter, Rose Carlson (Bob), both of Texas, and Linda De Rosario of the Philippines; and nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
A memorial Mass will be held at 5 p.m., Thursday, July 19, at St Jerome Catholic Church with a brief reception to follow. On Friday, July 20, interment with military honors will be held in Albert G. Horton Jr. Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow at 12:30 p.m. at Running Man Clubhouse, Yorktown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
