Benjamin "Ben" Walker Green

Ben passed away peacefully on Monday morning November 23rd 2020 at the age of 93. Ben was born in Emeryville California the son of Ella Elizabeth and Benjamin Walker Green (Sr.). Ben came from a large Irish Catholic Family: Three sisters, Eleanor, Margaret, "Margie", Barbara, his Brother Robert and half-brother “Willie”. By all accounts Ben had a normal childhood although he suffered with asthma early in life. At 15 1/2 years old, shortly after Pearl Harbor, Ben joined the Merchant Marines being drafted into the Navy at 18 and serving in the South Pacific Arena (Coral Sea, Guadalcanal, Tarawa). He received Distinguished Merchant Seaman awards, Purple Hearts and Navy commendations. Ben graduated from Alameda High School shortly after returning from his service and Took Two additional years to complete a degree in electrical engineering. Ben and Margaret Amelia Green were married in Alameda, California in 1950. Their loving marriage-partnership lasted 64 years until the passing of Margaret. The vast majority of Ben's career was spent at various positions with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). His career spanned over 38 years. His various jobs at PG&E included starting as a Warehouse-man in Emeryville, electrical ground-man, lineman, crew foreman, troubleshooter, electrical engineering estimator and before retiring was PG&E's key contact to several Cities in Contra Costa County, CA. He was recognized by the Concord City Council with a Distinguished Citizen Award, and received various Illumination Engineering Society awards. Ben’s other interests and activities throughout his life: Clarinetist in a small jazz band (Ben had a Zoot suit as part of his jazz band days), “magazine salesman”, member of Sons in Retirement (SIRS) in Sonoma, CA., Volunteer of the Visitors Bureau of Sonoma County, biscotti baker, cabin builder and member of Lions Club International. Ben is survived in his immediate Family by his daughter, Deborah Green, son Richard Green and Brother Robert Green and Robert’s children, Steven, Roberta and Timothy. Ben also became part of a larger blended Biesheuvel / Lucas family when his son married Dixie (Biesheuvel/Lucas) Green: Mark and Leslie Lucas, sons Peyton, Samuel and Cooper; Michael Lucas; Erin (Lucas) and Doyle Blaney; Patricia Biesheuvel and partner Anne Donahue; Richard and Edie (Biesheuvel) Scarpa and their children Randy and Natalie; Tom and Linda Biesheuvel and their children Heidi and Mieke. Please, no flowers. If you wish to do anything, donate to your favorite charity in Ben’s honor. A Celebration of Life is planned for next year. Any other correspondence you wish to send, please send to: Richard and Dixie Green, 7413 Chatsworth Cir, Elk Grove CA 95757. Ben was the salt of the earth.