Captain Pasquale "Pat" Michael Benigno, U.S. Coast Guard, retired, of Blue Skies of Texas-West in San Antonio, passed away on July 19, 2020 at the age of 89 years.

He was born October 20, 1930 in Irvington, New Jersey to Gregorio Benigno and Speranza Papano Benigno. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Julie (Fred) Ritacco and Rae (Pete) Monte. The family of five was the strong foundation from which Pat built the rest of his life, one that valued family, tradition, and a deep, abiding faith in God. As a young man, Pat graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, New Jersey, later receiving a Masters from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

On November 16, 1957, he married Emma Ruth Brown in Statesboro, Georgia. Pat and Ruth carefully maintained a strong marriage and a rich love. The two built a loving home for their two daughters, Kristin Buxton (James) of San Antonio and Cynthia Archer (Tim) and later their grandchildren, Eric Dove (Cecilia Rose), Michael Dove (Tessa Bryant), Madi Archer, Ashley Blackledge (Seth), Luca Buxton, Stella Buxton and four great-grandchildren. Their children and grandchildren remember with fondness the ease with which the couple laughed and danced together, even--or perhaps especially--after fifty-eight years of marriage. Ruth preceded Pat in her passing on April 4, 2016.

Pat's daughters knew him as a gentle, constant, deeply loving father and friend. Pat raised his daughters to be self-reliant and family-focused women who are confident and compassionate mothers, wives, aunts, and friends. His legacy lives in a warm, vibrant family that shares his values of fellowship and devotion, both to God and to one another.

Throughout his career, Pat was a steady hand in both calm waters and rough storms. As a Captain in the United States Coast Guard, he kept careful watch over our coastal borders, chased down drug smugglers, protected our fisheries, rescued those in peril on the sea, broke through treacherous ice to secure our shipping channels, trained thousands of recruits, and served on seven ships, two of which he captained. After retiring, Pat became a Catholic deacon, a position he cherished and carried out with faithfulness and care for over forty years. He carried parishioners through some of the most joyful and sorrowful moments of their lives, presiding over baptisms, weddings, funerals, and many of the social services and necessities in between.

In his free time, Pat was a true man of the sea. Nothing brought a sparkle to his eyes like talk of crabbing and fishing, or the opportunity to take his children and grandchildren out on the water. He felt at home when on a journey with the ones he loved, however long or short the journey might be. Camping trips and summertime jaunts to the ocean became part of the fabric of his family life. Pat and Ruth spent their later years traveling the country and the globe, taking in the beauty of the people, cultures, and landscapes they found. Pat was adventurous, curious, and a lifelong student of the world. He carried every "nifty" piece of information he learned like treasure, and shared generously with all he knew.

Pat was the kind of man who left deep impressions upon those who knew him. He was quick to greet old friends with a "How the heck are ya?" and made new friends effortlessly. He remembered names and events most of us would take for granted, and leaned into his relationships with everyone from his grandchildren to his neighbors to the wait staff at his favorite restaurants. Even at the end of his life, he made a point to learn the names and stories of every nurse and home health aide who cared for him.

Pat took joy in food and fellowship. Some of the most cherished moments among his grandchildren are framed by meals they shared with their Pop: ice cream dates with the youngest of his grandchildren, sneaky frozen yogurt for breakfast, fresh-caught crab and fish on yearly seaside trips, and decadent, traditional Italian feasts. He saw meals as an opportunity for cherished ones to care for one another, a vestige of both his Italian heritage and his devout Catholic faith.

In his last moments, he was resting peacefully in his daughter's home after several days of quiet family time. After the rest of the family kissed him goodnight and settled into bed, one granddaughter, Madi, remained at his side. As she kept her watch, she sang words that mirror his standard farewell to family and friends alike: "God bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and give you peace." With his family safe and all under one roof, he passed quietly. His family remains with the blessing of his memory, and much peace knowing he is in the arms of the Father and of Ruth, his two lifelong loves.

Public Visitation will be Sunday, August 2, 2020 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Castroville starting at 4:00 p.m. followed by The Holy Rosary and Mass of the Resurrection at 5:00 p.m. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held on Monday, August 3, 2020 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Please Note ; the number of people allowed in church is limited to 120 for the Mass of the Resurrection. National Cemeteries are also limiting the number of attendees to 25 persons and will be for immediate family and limited close friends. Social distancing must be practiced and face coverings are required at both locations.

Memorials may be made in Pat's memory to Catholic Charities or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com