Benito Melendez

Benito Melendez, 91, of Worcester, passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Saint Vincent Hospital, with his loving family at his bedside.

Benito is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Rosa (Valentine) Melendez; seven children, Debra Landry widow of Denis Landry, Wendy Pratte widow of Donald Pratte, Sandra Melendez, Peter Vasquez and his wife Margie, Benito Melendez, Jr., John Melendez and his wife Jenny, and Yolanda Coffey and husband Jeremiah; two sisters, Maria Dolores Melendez and Antonia Felix; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Benito and Rosa were predeceased by their daughter, Nereida E. Melendez in June 1989 and by their son, Edward Melendez in November 2011. He was also predeceased by seven siblings. Benito was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, son of the late, Dolores and Paula (Berios) Melendez.

Benito lived in Worcester for most of his life, where he and Rosa raised their children. He worked for many years as an injection mold operator for Wachusett Molding. After the death of their daughter, Benito and Rosa moved Virginia Beach, where he worked as a custodian for the Virgina Beach School District. He also worked as a security guard while in Virginia.

Benito loved baseball and was a great player in his youth and was an avid Red Sox fan. He enjoyed playing Dominos and still holds his first lottery ticket from when the Mass State Lottery started in 1973.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 19, at 11 am in Saint Joan of Arc Church, 570 Lincoln Street, Worcester. Christian burial will be at Saint John’s Cemetery.

Please go directly to church. There are no calling hours.

The family has entrusted Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel.