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This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Chavez, Cordova
Classification: Obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FZI.2ACIB/669
Message Board Post:
NOTE-I am not related to this family
Loveland Reporter Herald (Loveland, Larimer, Colorado)
Monday May 23, 2005 page B-3
Tuesday May 24, 2005 page B-3
Ben L. CHAVEZ Trail-blazing Hispanic businessman, Ben Leo Chavez, belongs to the Ages.
Ben Leo Chavez, 82, of Loveland and formerly of Fort Collins, died on his birthday, May 20, 2005, after a long illness at Sierra Vista Nursing Home.
He was born May 20, 1923 in Ingleside, to Leonadro and Marcelina Chavez.
Ben lived a long, varied adventuresome life. He started life with nothing, but his hardworking zest to succeed brought him many rewards later. His journey working in fields and saving his hard-earned money allowed him to start enjoying some of the finer things life has to offer.
An encounter with a narrow-minded restaurant owner who refused to serve Hispanics led him to meet his future wife, Selina “Sally” Cordova, who under the threat of losing her job served Ben the cup of coffee he requested, knowing Ben wasn’t going to leave without it. It may not seem like a big deal now, although in those days that took a lot of guts and courage!
Ben married Selina in Fort Collins on Nov. 4, 1949. Together they had four children, twin sons Don and Ron, Matthew and a daughter, Adelita.
Ben, Selina and Ben’s two brothers started the Fort Collins landmark restaurant, “The Eldorado.” Ben built the building and all three brothers ran it. In Ben’s own words, “My wife Selina was the backbone of the restaurant with her incredible cooking!”
In 1971, Ben and Selina bought out the surviving brothers and ran “The Eldorado” until 1989. During that time, Ben and Selina ran a very successful construction company building fine custom homes in the Fort Collins area.
After selling “The Eldorado” and taking a two-year hiatus, they decided to start a new restaurant where everyone would be welcome no matter who they were, and they would run it with the help of their four children. Buying an old, rundown building, Ben remodeled every room under the direction of his wife and daughter. Ben was especially proud of the custom mirror frames he put in “Adelita’s.”
Ben was an avid sports fan. He loved to fish, dance and talk with many people who visited Ben and Selina’s restaurants. Ben suffered from a stroke in 2001 and spent the last four years at Sierra Vista Health Care.
Mr. Chavez is survived by his wife, Selina Cordova Chavez; twin sons, Ron and Don Chavez; daughter, Adelita Chavez; son, Matthew Chavez; brothers, Harold Chavez of Las Vegas and Ray Chavez of Johnstown; sisters, Angie Valdez of Cheyenne, Wyo., Molly Valdez of Fort Collins, and Dee LeVette of Windsor.
Survivors also include grandchildren, Roxanne Rounds of Colorado Springs, Mario Chavez of Denver, Bryan Chavez of Fort Collins, Adam Chavez of Fort Collins, Ashley Ramos of Windsor, Gavin Chavez of Fort Collins, and Dillon Chavez of Fort Collins; and three great-grandchildren, Shanell Chavez, Dialo Rounds and Ivasia all of Colorado Springs.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Art Chavez.
Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery.
Please view online obituary and sign family guest book at www.allnutt.com.
This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Chavez
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FZI.2ACIB/668
Message Board Post:
Does anyone have information about The Chavez family from New Mexico who then came to Wyoming. Names Manuel Chavez from Taos, New Mexico. Married to Nancy Newell from Taos. Child Danial Chavez who lived and died in Morton, Wyoming married Katharine Hurtado.