Benjamin Munar Cables' Obituary
Benjamin Munar Cables was born on January 7th, 1949 in Baguio, Philippines, to Emilio Abad Cables and Consuelo Munar Cables and peacefully passed away Sunday, November 24th, 2024, in Tacoma, WA after a long battle with ulcerative colitis that had progressed to cancer.
Predeceased by parents Emilio and Consuelo; partner Salvatore Cipullo; sisters Carmelita “Letty” (Rufo) Augustin, Maile “Mila” (Howard) Sakumoto, and Tehani Cables; and brothers Loreto (Melba), Robert, and Rodolfo “Rudy” (Lina) Cables. He is survived by his sister Estrellita “Star”(Pat) Staeheli and brother Arthur Cables. He also leaves behind a large extended family spanning 4 generations and dozens of nieces and nephews for whom Benjamin was a favorite uncle.
Born at Camp John Hay in Baguio, Philippines, Benjamin immigrated to the United States aboard the USNS David C. Shanks in 1953 at the age of 4 with his parents and siblings. After first landing in San Francisco, the family moved around Tacoma until settling in Lakewood in 1955. He graduated from Clover Park High School in 1967 and went on to work for Merrill Lynch and Bank of California. After earning his Associate of Applied Science at Griffin College in 1991, he put his expertise to work as the Supervisor Senior Clerk at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department until his retirement in 2004.
A devoted servant to his Catholic faith and God, Benjamin had his First Communion and Confirmation at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, where he also attended catechism from the 1st through 12th grade. In adulthood, he kept busy as the music minister at St. Ann, St. John of the Woods, and Sacred Heart for 20 years where he played the piano and organized the choir. He also worked closely with numerous immigrant communities in Tacoma and coordinated many ethnic masses, including the Filipino Night Mass “Simbang Gabi.”
Even with a busy schedule between work and church, he always had time for family and enjoyed going to restaurants, concerts, movies, and soccer games. In his younger years, he professionally performed traditional Filipino and Hawaiian dances with his sister Maile, to whom he donated his kidney in 1996. A dedicated family historian, he had an incredible memory and uncanny ability to keep track of birthdays, anniversaries, and other details for the entire extended family. Lovingly nicknamed Bingit, Ben-hum, Benny, Funkle, and Grunkle among the family, he brought a warm smile and giggle to every gathering and was the glue that held together the generations. He will be truly missed; we love you, Uncle Ben.
Visitation, Sunday, December 15, 10:00am-4:00pm, Monday, December 16 and Tuesday, December 17, 10:00am-8:00pm, Mountain View Funeral Home. Rosary, 10:30am, followed by a Funeral Mass, Wednesday, December 18, 11:00am, St. Frances Cabrini Parish, 5715 108th St SW, Lakewood, WA. Interment and reception to follow at Mountain View Memorial Park and Celebration of Life, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Tacoma, WA.
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