Retail Icon, Ambassador Benny Tantoco, 100

Retail Industry icon and former ambassador to the Vatican Bienvenido “Benny” Tantoco passed away

- Millet Mananquil

He lived to be a healthy hundred and was able to ride his last twirl on his wheelchair which he loved to do with his grandson.

Thus when well-loved retail industry icon and former Ambassador to the Vatican Bienvenido “Benny” Tantoco passed away at 1:06 a.m. yesterday, it was a bit unexpected.

“We were ready to bring him home because he was all right after a week in the hospital,” his daughter Nedy Tantoco, chairman and CEO of Rustan Commercial Corp., said. But then the patriarch, who happily celebrated his 100th birthday last April 7, succumbed to pneumonia.

Lolo Benny, as he was fondly called, was lovingly cared for by his children Rico Tantoco, Nedy Tantoco, Marilou T. Pineda, Menchu T. Lopez, Marilen Tantoco and Maritess T. Enriquez, who took turns having meals with him and bringing him places. “Even if it just meant letting him ride in the car to safely bring home his daughters who lived in the same neighborhood,” says youngest daughter Maritess, who notes that her dad’s gentlemanly habits stayed with him till his last.

There will be a three-day private wake for family at the Tantoco residence, followed by Holy Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.