Born on February 26, 1929 in Sarita, Kenedy Ranch, Texas to Benjamin V. Estrada (father) and Maria M. Leal (mother). There were no siblings. Married: Benjamin L. Cantu of Raymondville, Texas. Children: Benjamin J. Cantu, Jr. (Mary) and Richard J. Cantu (Susie). Grandchildren: Benjamin A. Cantu III M.D., Elizabeth R. Cantu, Pedro J. Cantu, and Richard A. Cantu Jr. Great grandchildren: Vincent E. Carter III, Pablo E. Salcedo, Jr., and Pedro Cantu Jr.

Newlyweds Benjamin and Elvira came to California from their home state of Texas in 1950, and settled in McFarland, a tiny farming community in Kern County. In the mid 1950s they started an agricultural trucking business hauling sugar beets from the fields to the sugar refinery, then expanded the business to include custom sugar beet harvesting for farmers in the Imperial Valley, Kern County, and San Joaquin County areas. Although the family followed the sugar beet harvesting seasons for several years between the three locations, Manteca was considered home to the family and to the business. The family settled permanently in Manteca in 1961.

Viewing and Rosary: Wednesday, August 13, 5–7 p.m., at Chapel of the Palms, 303 S. California St., Stockton. Mass: Thursday, August 14 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony's Church, 505 E. North St., Manteca. Burial: Following the mass at St. John's Cemetery, (St. Patrick's Church) 19399 E. Highway 120.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Saturday, August 9, 2025