Benjamin Aceves Jr., age 84, of Brighton, Michigan, passed away on April 13, 2022.  He was surrounded and comforted by his family. 

Benjamin was born on May 9, 1937 to Ruth Fernandez and Benjamin Aceves in Los Angeles, California. Within weeks of completing high school, Ben earned his GED and joined the United States Navy as an electronics technician. Ben has spent a lifetime regaling his family with his submarine exploits upon the USS Pickerel and proudly sports his scar from the infamous night of Typhoon June.  

After his discharge from the Navy, he met Ginger, the love of his life and they were married in 1962. Ben and Ginger went on to have four children, Audrianna, Andrew, John and Paul. In addition to his children, Ben and Ginger were blessed with this lively bunch of grandchildren: Chelsey, Alexandra, Justin, Caitlyn, Gabe, Gevin, Austin, Kayla, Dylan, Jacob and Amelia. Then came the Great-Grandchildren, Cali, Lily, Phineas, Judah, Arlo and our new little one coming soon.  

In addition to meeting Ginger, Ben went to work for North American Aviation, later known as Rockwell International and later Boeing Aviation. Ben worked as an electronics technician on the Minute Man missile system. He went on to work for the aircraft division on the B-1 Bomber and became an installation planner on the Space Shuttle.  Concurrently, Ben joined the UAW and became a union steward. Ben's passion for helping others led him to become a UAW representative and later an international representative for the UAW.  Ben was dedicated to ensuring that his coworkers received fair working conditions, healthcare and compensation. Ben worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone received a voice. 

Ben was a quiet force of nature. His sly smile and shake of his head was often all he needed to communicate that one was about to engage in the debate of their life. His unwavering passion and duty to his family and fellow man spurred him to pick up picket signs, negotiate contracts, boycott, march, legislate and educate. Besides a lifetime of taking his family on camping trips, fishing, hiking, gardening and barbequing, Ben's belief that "We are our brothers keeper" lived at the center of everything he did. Ben loved his family fiercely and in his usual manner, left them with the ability to think independently and love unconditionally. Ben left his family with a gift of his attention, time and unending love, but more than that, Ben's love and devotion to the underserved and underrepresented will live on in each of his children for a lifetime. 

In addition to his wife and children, Benjamin leaves behind his sisters Esther, Delmira and Louise, along with his brother David. Benjamin was predeceased by his parents, Ruth and Benjamin Aceves Sr. and his sisters, Olivia and Linda. The family will hold a private memorial at an undisclosed (probably illegal) venue on April 23rd. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that wherever you are, and on a beautiful weekend when you first light up your grill, that you hold up a cold beer and remember the wonderful and beautiful man, Benjamin Aceves. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/benjamin-aceves-jr/obituary/

Copy