**FYI - It has come to my attention, when making donations, please see that there is a "tip" meter (not there by me) of up to 30% of a donation that goes to the GoFundMe Company. This is an option they have installed on donation page to help them & after you enter your donation amount for me the tip meter shows at 15%, you can then adjust it to 0 or up to 30% if you wish to donate a tip to GFM. I only receive the main amount of your donation & nothing from "tip" meter.

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Hello, my name is Mark ( aka - Merlin ). On Oct 11th about 2pm our awesome Ben Valdez (41) suddenly passed at work on the jobsite. Family, friends & co workers, etc are still in complete shock & dismay of his passing.

Ben was cremated & came home with his Mom Delores Valdez ( Dee ) on Oct 26th & now rests besides his Dad Juan in their 49er/tv room.

Ben loved his Mom & Dad, family, friends, his job, 49er's, his 63 Impala, his passion for SF's history & taking tons of pictures in & around SF, etc !!

Most of all, he loved life & every one of us in his life ❤️

Ben's sudden passing has had a profound effect on all of us. Family, friends & co workers, etc have been asking about a Memorial Service for Ben, however it is just too much for Dee to hold & attend a service for Ben at this time. I talked to Dee & she is fine with me putting together a Memorial Service for Ben now for us.

Will be held at Duggan's Serra Mortuary in Daly City on Sat Dec 10th, noon pre meet & service starting at 1pm.

Ben will go home after, no burial service planned.

**A Celebration of Life Memorial BBQ for Ben is planned for sometime in the Spring time of 2023 by Craig & Marie most likely at San Bruno Park, Ben's & the families favorite party place to BBQ !

Most of the family & friends know me, I have been apart of the Valdez & Holsopple family's for many years & Ben is like a nephew to me ❤️. I've been helping his mom Dee in every way I possibly can along with my nephew Kyle ( an awesome mechanic whom rebuilt Ben's Impala ), as have others like Dee's best friends Sandy & Patti ❤️❤️.

The cost impact to Dee at this time is hard, so I am creating this GoFundMe to cover cost of this Memorial service for Ben that are needed, ie - Chapel at Duggan's, prayer cards, signature book ( for Dee ), flowers, wreath, etc ( basics as needed )

I have set the minimum at 5k to cover any extra expenses I have not yet foreseen & cover the GoFundMe fee's, etc.

*I am not using any of this money for myself as this is a privilege for me to do this for all of you, Ben, Dee, family & friends ❤️

The basic cost needs for this memorial service probably closer to only $3,500. ( not including GoFundMe fee's ). Whatever the donations that are recieved & only used, the left over donation money if any ( pending total donations raised ) will be forwarded & used to cover costs for Celebration of Life BBQ for Ben in Spring of 2023 by Craig & Marie for park permit, food, drinks, etc. If anything is left from that will go to Ben's Mom Dee to help cover any personal expenses for Ben she has incurred.

In addition on behalf of Dee & family, a BIG ❤️ & thank you to the SSF City Dept Ben worked for as the staff & his co workers have been past amazing with putting up & maintaining the road side memorial were Ben passed & of all their support they've given Dee coming by & offering condolence & any help she needs around the house - thanks guys your awesome !!

Another BIG ❤️ & thanks to SSF Vice Mayor Flor Nicolas for coming over with a beautiful card & condolences from City of SSF & herself to Dee !!

Also to the City of SSF for the park bench with Ben's name they plan on installing ❤️❤️

Thank you all, we miss & love our Ben & he will deeply & forever be missed & always in our thoughts & ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Sincerely,

Mark "Merlin" Roy

PS - I have created an email just for this memorial if anyone wishes to contact me with questions, suggestions or requests