Beniamino Comin is reclining in his hammock in the heavens, listening to Ben Hepner’s “Opera Gems” on CBC, enjoying a glass of his homemade blackberry wine and reading Time magazine. Ben is surrounded by his brothers, parents and all of his beloved friends who have journeyed before him.
In 1935, Ben was born in a small village in Italy into a family of nine children. At twelve years of age, Ben apprenticed as a machinist and quickly proved his skill. Post WWII Italy was not the right place for an ambitious young man to pursue his dreams. Ben decided to emigrate to Canada in1955; he worked his way across Canada with the CPR and landed in Vancouver.
In his early twenties, Ben was a tall (6’3”) dark and handsome man with excellent prospects. At a community dance, he met an exceptionally beautiful woman: Eugenie “Gina”. Ben spoke no German, Gina spoke no Italian. It was love at first sight!
Ben and Gina had five children and they both learned to speak English - not necessarily in that order! Ben, Gina and their young family settled in Burnaby. Riding his bicycle down and up Royal Oak Avenue’s dauntingly steep hill, to and from work each day, kept Ben in excellent health. This act also left the Volkswagen at home so Gina could drive the children to all their events. Cycling was a passion of Ben’s well into his late sixties. UBC, Surrey and even Yarrow were his destinations. Ben loved his garden. Radicchio, runner beans, figs, tomatoes were part of the Comin dinner table almost year-round. Ben also performed many decades of service in The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers: as Treasurer.
Ben and Gina have been devoted members of Saint Francis de Sales parish since 1967.Oddly enough, he enjoyed his fifteen plus years of regular BINGO volunteering in support of his children’s elementary school. Singing in the Italian Trevigiano-Veneto Folk Group of Vancouver since early 2000 gave both Ben and Gina great satisfaction.
Beniamino was a much beloved part of the great fabric of Metro Vancouver’s multicultural heritage – a young man who arrived in a new land armed with a valuable skill, a strong work ethic and a desire to earn his way in Canada. Ben’s steadfast family values created a legacy of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who continue to contribute quietly, positively and essentially toward our great nation.
Eternal Love from his wife Gina, his children Eva (Simon) Janet (Ed) Brian (Sally), Julie (Stephan), Sarah (David), his grandchildren
Nicholas, Lauren, Adrian, Edward, Ciara, Vivienne, Grace, Theadora, Beniamino, Giacomo, Maximillio, Andreas, Isabella, and his great-grandchildren Ever and Luka