 BENAVIDEZ, MARIO M. Mario Miguel Benavidez went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, January 30, 2014. He had a brilliant mind and the golden and courageous heart of a LION. He loved with passion and was loved passionately by his wife, three beautiful daughters, and everyone who was blessed with his one-of-a-kind way of establishing deep relationships with others. He spent endless afternoons at the park with his three daughters and cooked breakfast for them daily. He used his 2004 UNM law degree to counsel many friends and family and answered his calling to strengthen the struggling and underserved through his service on the YDI Board of Directors, as an advocate for access to justice, working for NM Voices for Children, in running a youth detention center mentorship program, as an actor in many local theater productions, and in being such a revered friend to so many. He was a hero to his daughters, his wife, his twin brother Javier (who he consoled on the first day of preschool by reading to), his Mom, and the countless lives in which he had a deeply positive impact. He was predeceased by his Dad Eddie Benavidez and dear cousin Hector DeLeon, several uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his soul-mate wife Sylvia; his three treasured daughters Naylani (4), Giada (2), and Milania (1); his sacred twin brother Javier; his unconditionally loving Mama Margaret; his adoring in-laws Sylvi and Bella; and many cherished friends and families too numerous to list but not forgotten. A memorial service will be held this Saturday, Feb. 8th at 9:00AM at Victory Outreach Church of Albuquerque, 1404 Lead Ave SE, ABQ, NM 87106. He will be laid to rest at 11:30AM at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd. NE, ABQ, NM 87102, followed by a gathering for all friends and family at 12:30PM at the Wool Warehouse in Downtown Albuquerque, 516 1st Street. Mario genuinely loved others, is now loving arms of Jesus and will be surrounding us all, especially his three beloved little ones, with his remarkable strength going forward. Gifts to the "Benavidez Family Fund" at www.ydinm.org will help support his wife and three young daughters going forward.
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