Benjamin "Ben" Franklino Calimpong, a longtime resident of Gilroy, passed away peacefully on
January 10, 2021. Ben was born in San Jose at O'Connor Hospital to Sulpicio and Pelagia
Calimpong. He was one of ten children. Ben attended Jordan Elementary, Brownell Middle and
Gilroy High School where he was a track and field standout. He held the high school pole vault
record for 25 years. After high school, Ben enlisted in the United States Airforce where he
served as a Sgt. Flight Facility Equip. Repairman.

While in the service, he married his wife of 46 years, Yolanda Gutierrez Calimpong. They lived
in Novato, California where Ben was stationed at Hamilton AFB and Yolie worked in San
Francisco. After the Service, they relocated to San Jose and both began working at General
Electric, Nuclear Division. Yolie stayed and retired from GE after 41 years while Ben moved on
to a few other tech companies as a mechanical engineer. He ultimately ended his working
career back where he began as a Mechanical and Field Site Technician for GE. He worked in
Japan and survived the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami where they were working at the
Fukushima Nuclear Reactor.

Ben always had a zest for life with a great sense of adventure whether it was with lifetime
partner in crime, Yolie, his childhood friends, coworkers, or his many godchildren/
nieces/nephews. Not to mention his two most willing participants, his two sons, Brian and more
so Gregory. He traveled the world for both business and pleasure. Too many stories to recount.
Everyone always left with a unique account of their adventure with him. He had the nickname of
MacGyver because he was constantly in his workshop working on the next project for his next
grand adventure. If it was fun and had a bit of risk, Ben was game to try it. He was an avid
alpine and water skier, golfer, motorcyclist, metal fabricator, certified drone pilot, and overall tech
junkie.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Sulpicio and Pelagia Calimpong
Ben is survived by his wife, Yolanda Gutierrez, and two sons, Brian Franklin (36) and Gregory
Adam (29) as well as his siblings, Elsie Dumagan, Art Calimpong, David Calimpong, Conrad
Calimpong, Jerry Calimpong, Kathi Visperas, Maretta Juarez, Patsi Calimpong, and Len
Calimpong. Also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews who he all had special
unique relationships with.

Due to covid restrictions, the family will be having a small viewing open to only immediate family
with plans to have a grand celebration of life when the Covid restrictions ease in the future.