Beniciano “Ben” “Shorty” Garza, 92, of Seadrift, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2011. He was born August 24, 1918, in Sandia, to the late Locario Garza and Simona Villarreal Garza. He was a retired mechanic and a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Seadrift.

He is survived by his wife, Odilia Garza; daughter, Dalia Martinez and husband Jose Sr. of Corpus Christi; son, Fidenco “File” Garza and wife Ciara Estraca of Seadrift; brothers, Manuel Garza Sr. of Port Lavaca, and Juan Garza of Floresville; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Reynaldo Garza and George Garza; sisters, Rosa Navarro and Jesusa Estrada; brothers, Nicolas Garza, Predro Garza, and Simon Garza Sr.

Funeral Mass was celebrated on August 24 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Father Ty Bazar officiating. Burial followed at Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were his grandsons Joey Martinez, Michael Martinez, Raul Mendez, and Gilbert Rios, and nephews Lionel Navarro Sr. and Luis Angel Garza Sr.

Honorary pallbearers were Bonifacio Gonzalez and Neal Gray.