Bonaparte A. Diaz
September 16, 1932 — August 17, 2017
Bonaparte Argamoza Diaz, loving husband and father returned to the Lord on Thursday, August 17, 2017. Known to his family and friends as Ben, he was a man of few words and much action.
Born on September 16, 1932 in Dinalupihan Bataan, Pnilippines, he joined the United States Navy in the aftermath of WWII and served for over 20 years. He held many position in the Navy including underwater demolition and accounting. He used his innate culinary talents to serve admirals and eventually shared those talents with his family, friends and in service to his church. An avid athlete in his youth, he boxed in the Navy and challenged himself to long distance endurance swims including swimming the channel from Cadiz to Rota, Spain.
Ben’s travels in the Navy brought him to Spain, where he met and married the love of his live, Maria. They spent the next decade growing their family and moving from country to country until his retirement in 1975. After retirement, they settled in Jacksonville and Ben returned to school and began a new career in insurance with the A.L. Williams Company. He also helped his wife establish their business of Diaz Cleaners and continued to operate their business until their retirement in 1995.
Ben was a devout parishioner of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where he served in various roles. He was a very active participant in the Cursillo Movement, using his culinary talents to create unforgettable experiences that brought people closer to God. He was also passionate and gave much of his time to the Kairos Prison Ministry, a Christian faith-based ministry that addressed the spiritual needs of incarcerated men.
Throughout his entire life, one of Ben’s consistent passions was fishing. He loved to fish and to share his blessings. Many friends, family and strangers enjoyed the benefits of Ben’s passion with fresh fish available at a moment’s notice, an impromptu fish fry or a spontaneous gift to a fellow angler who was not as fortunate in the day’s catch. Ben will be mourned by his son Bonaparte A. Diaz Jr., daughter Lani Diaz Baruch; Son-in-law Pieter Baruch; Daughter– in-law Bethany Diaz; grandchildren Chelsea, Leighton and Pieter Baruch Jr.. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Maria G. Diaz; mother Feliz Diaz, Brother Roberto Diaz, Sister Liguya Diaz.
Visitation for will be held at Naugle Funeral Home at 1203 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville Florida 32207. Friends and family are invited from 6-7, followed by a rosary at 7 pm. Funeral Mass and Service, followed immediately by reception will be held on Wednesday, August 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church at 1773 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville Fl 32210. Burial at the Jacksonville National Cemetery is scheduled for 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Catholic Charities. Arrangements under the care of Naugle Funeral Home, 1203 Hendricks Ave. Jacksonville, Florida 32207 (904) 396-1611.
Born on September 16, 1932 in Dinalupihan Bataan, Pnilippines, he joined the United States Navy in the aftermath of WWII and served for over 20 years. He held many position in the Navy including underwater demolition and accounting. He used his innate culinary talents to serve admirals and eventually shared those talents with his family, friends and in service to his church. An avid athlete in his youth, he boxed in the Navy and challenged himself to long distance endurance swims including swimming the channel from Cadiz to Rota, Spain.
Ben’s travels in the Navy brought him to Spain, where he met and married the love of his live, Maria. They spent the next decade growing their family and moving from country to country until his retirement in 1975. After retirement, they settled in Jacksonville and Ben returned to school and began a new career in insurance with the A.L. Williams Company. He also helped his wife establish their business of Diaz Cleaners and continued to operate their business until their retirement in 1995.
Ben was a devout parishioner of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where he served in various roles. He was a very active participant in the Cursillo Movement, using his culinary talents to create unforgettable experiences that brought people closer to God. He was also passionate and gave much of his time to the Kairos Prison Ministry, a Christian faith-based ministry that addressed the spiritual needs of incarcerated men.
Throughout his entire life, one of Ben’s consistent passions was fishing. He loved to fish and to share his blessings. Many friends, family and strangers enjoyed the benefits of Ben’s passion with fresh fish available at a moment’s notice, an impromptu fish fry or a spontaneous gift to a fellow angler who was not as fortunate in the day’s catch. Ben will be mourned by his son Bonaparte A. Diaz Jr., daughter Lani Diaz Baruch; Son-in-law Pieter Baruch; Daughter– in-law Bethany Diaz; grandchildren Chelsea, Leighton and Pieter Baruch Jr.. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Maria G. Diaz; mother Feliz Diaz, Brother Roberto Diaz, Sister Liguya Diaz.
Visitation for will be held at Naugle Funeral Home at 1203 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville Florida 32207. Friends and family are invited from 6-7, followed by a rosary at 7 pm. Funeral Mass and Service, followed immediately by reception will be held on Wednesday, August 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church at 1773 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville Fl 32210. Burial at the Jacksonville National Cemetery is scheduled for 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Catholic Charities. Arrangements under the care of Naugle Funeral Home, 1203 Hendricks Ave. Jacksonville, Florida 32207 (904) 396-1611.
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