Joseph Aaron Benjamin Sr.

Joseph Aaron Benjamin, Sr., was born on November 5, 1932, to Anthony and Rose Benjamin of Lafayette, Louisiana. He was the second oldest of six children and maintained close relationships with all of his siblings. He spent his childhood and adolescence in Lafayette. In February 1953, he enlisted in the United States Army and served until his honorable discharge in February 1955.

On June 9, 1956, he married Rose Marie Helaire in Lafayette, Louisiana. Shortly after getting married, Joseph and Rose moved to Alameda, CA. Their first child, Victoria, was born in Oakland the following year in 1957. Shortly after, Joseph moved his family to Portland, OR to be closer to his brothers Anthony, Allen, and Alvin. After moving to Portland, Joseph and Rose continued to grow their family, having three more children; Sheila, Joseph, Jr., and Stephanie. The family were members of Immaculate Heart Church while Joseph and Rose became members of the Knights & Ladies of Peter Claver, respectively.

Joseph worked as a Banquet Manager for the Sheraton Hotel in Portland for almost 20 years, meeting several famous people including James Brolin and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., before starting his own business. He opened Joe’s Place, a future staple of the Northeast Portland community, in 1975. Throughout its 30 years of business, Joe’s Place was the place to be. It served as a location for birthday and holiday parties along with dart and pool tournaments, while also sponsoring a local mushball team. Joe’s Place quickly became the preferred place to hang out after the games regardless if the team won. A good time was had by all. Joe’s Place closed its doors after hosting its final New Year’s Eve Party in December 2006.

After closing Joe’s Place, Joe decided to travel and spend more time enjoying his hobbies including golf and watching football, and most importantly his favorite team, The San Francisco 49ers. No matter what time or where the game was on, Joe would make sure that he watched and cheered his team on to victory. Joe and his brothers would travel to meet up with each other annually to catch up about the events of their lives and enjoy each others’ company. When he wasn’t traveling, Joe also enjoyed hanging out with his friends at various locations around the Portland area.

Joseph passed away peacefully in his home on January 25, 2025, surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by his wife, Rose Marie Benjamin; his parents, Anthony and Rose Benjamin; his brothers, Anthony ‘Sonny’ Benjamin, Allen Benjamin, and Ralph ‘Harold’ Benjamin; his daughter, Sheila Marie Benjamin and his son-in-law, Leon James Hamilton.

 Joseph is survived by his siblings, Alvin Benjamin of Canby, Oregon, and Marie Breaux of Lafayette, Louisiana; his children, Victoria Hamilton of Portland, Oregon, Joseph Aaron Benjamin, Jr. of Beaverton, Oregon, and Stephanie Patten of Portland, Oregon; his son-in-law, Marvin Patten of Portland, OR; his grandchildren, Helaire Hamilton of Long Beach, California, Alexandria Nyembwe of Irvine, California and Joseph Aaron Benjamin, III of Beaverton, Oregon along with a host of nieces and nephews.

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