David H. Benech

1953

CARPENTER

WRITTEN BY DAVID H. BENECH

David Henry Benech, a lifelong resident of Monterey, was born on May 17, 1953, at Monterey Hospital on Hartnell Street to Henry and Mary (Melicia) Benech Jr..  He is the second of four children—Kathleen, William, and Janice being his siblings. Many of his cousins and his niece, Cara Rose, still reside on the Monterey Peninsula.

David’s maternal grandparents were Salvator and Angelina (Virga) Melicia. Born in Isola delle Femmine, Sicily, Salvator was a pioneer in the Monterey fishing industry. Angelina, also born in Isola delle Femmine, was an accomplished seamstress.  David’s paternal grandfather, Henry Benech Sr., was from Angrogna in the province of Turin, Italy, and became the first cook at the Hotel Del Monte in Monterey.  Argentina (Nassano) Benech, David’s paternal grandmother, born in Chiavari in the province of Genoa, also worked at the Hotel Del Monte as a housekeeper and was requested to clean rooms for celebrities such as Clark Gable and Charles Chaplin.

David attended San Carlos Grammar School for eight years, followed by Junipero Memorial High School for his freshman through junior years. After Junipero closed, he transferred to Monterey High School, where he graduated in 1971. He later earned an Associate of Arts degree from Monterey Peninsula College in 1973.

David’s work history has been vast and varied over the years, but his early years are where the foundations of hard work and commitment started.  During high school, he worked at Mike’s Seafood Restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf, owned by his uncle, Joe Anastasi, and his brother Phil Anastasi. He held various roles including busser, dishwasher, cook assistant, bartender, and host.

In 1969–1970, David worked security at Pebble Beach, followed by a position at the Del Monte Sand Plant in 1971, where his father was a chemist and sales manager. After the sand plant closed, David pursued a career in construction, becoming a skilled carpenter. Over 42 years, he built and remodeled homes across the Monterey Peninsula.

Ever the hard worker, David continued working even after he retired from construction in 2014. In 2015, he joined the Pebble Beach Company’s group retail department, packing for group sales events. After six years of service, he retired fully.

In retirement, David loves to keep busy, and volunteering has been one of his passions.  David’s dedication to community service mirrors that of his mother, Mary Benech, a past recipient of the Italian Heritage Society award. His volunteer efforts include volunteering at the San Carlos Cathedral, the US Open at Pebble Beach, annual Lenten Fish Dinner setups and monthly meeting set-ups for the Italian Catholic Federation, the Monterey County Fair, and Festa Italia.

At the Monterey County Fair, David volunteered in the Agriculture Department selling produce and received the prestigious “Volunteer of the Year” Award. He is likely most recognizable from his leadership in organizing and running the Cannoli Booth at the annual Festa Italia.  Each year, David brings together family members from near and far to preserve the tradition of cannoli-making, sharing with the masses his pride and passion for his heritage, while supporting  and raising thousands of dollars for the Festa Italia Foundation.

David is a member of the Italian Catholic Federation and serves on the Festa Committee, specifically contributing to the Cannoli Booth.

David enjoys baking, golfing, morning coffee with friends, and traveling to Las Vegas, Reno, Hawaii, Disneyland, and Universal Studios.

David is deeply honored by his selection as a 2025 Honoree by the Italian Heritage Society. He is proud to represent and celebrate the rich traditions of the Italian-American community.

ITALIAN HERITAGE SOCIETY HONOREE 2025