Grampa

By Christian Eltell

Written and published on June 21, 2020

My grandfather, Benigno Arcesio Sánchez, was the kindest, strongest, and most caring man I ever knew. The most important thing for him in life was family, and his presence was always felt whenever there was a celebration, a gathering, a vacation, a graduation, a ceremony, or a special occasion. Even at parties and holidays, he was always the best dancer. He constantly engaged in conversation, cracking jokes, telling stories, and making everyone smile and laugh. He loved everyone: his children, his grandchildren, his siblings, his cousins, his distant relatives, his friends, and so forth. Most of all, he loved Nana. In a marriage lasting over fifty years, they were inseparable. Grampa was also loving and caring towards my mom, my siblings, and me. When I was a small boy, I would never want him to leave my house in Brooklyn, and I always wanted to stay at his apartment in Hamilton Heights so we could play games and watch sports and movies together. I will miss our days of playing chess, dominoes, and card games. I will miss our days of watching baseball, tennis, and soccer, chanting for our favorite teams. I’ll miss playing various sports with him at the park. I’ll miss our swimming pool and beach days in the summer. I will miss his calm demeanor, his warmness, his generosity, his ability to fix things, and his sense of humor. What also inspired me most about Grampa was his willingness to work hard so that he and his family could have a better life in America. I will also cherish the moments we had together at his home in Ecuador, meeting his family and where he came from. Grampa was always present and supportive, through tough times and precious moments. Even at eighty-seven years old, he was still young, strong, comical, and energetic. I know for certain he could’ve lived till a hundred or more. Although I always called you Grampa, I can happily say that you were also my father, my Godfather, my Goodfella, my Clint Eastwood. Nothing will ever be the same without you, but I know that you will always be in our hearts. We love you Grampa.

Para toda la familia aquí, en Estados Unidos, y en Ecuador, yo quiero decir que Benigno era un hombre muy amable y cariñoso. El tenía mucho amor para todos, especialmente su esposa Doña Rosita y sus hijos y nietos. Nosotros lo sentimos, y quiero que todos recuerden a Don Benny en las memorias grandes de alegría y amor. Benigno siempre va a estar en mi corazón y en los corazones de toda la familia. Te amo mucho Grampa. Descansa en paz.