Benjamin Joseph Pappani

Ben was born June 11, 1935 in San Jose and passed away at his home in Gilroy on May 1, 2026.

His wife of 67 years, Loretta, predeceased him in 2023. He is survived by his children Mike Pappani, Gina Perine (Ken) and Kathleen Pappani (Martha McDermott) and his grandchildren Kai and Sophie Pappani McDermott. Ben was the eldest of six children and was predeceased by his sister Virginia Rose and survived by sisters Harriet Ghione, Nina Bernier, Christina Andrade and brother Andy Pappani. He has a large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews in the San Jose, Hollister and Watsonville area.

Ben was a lifetime resident of Gilroy having left briefly as a young man to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and to help on his father’s ranches in Elk Grove and Healdsburg. He returned to Gilroy to marry his high school sweetheart, Loretta Pianalto. Together they built a home and family in Gilroy.

He co-owned Gilroy Electric with his cousin Bill Pappani. Over the years he was active in many organizations that supported the developmentally disabled. An avid outdoorsman, he was a member of the Elks, Ducks Unlimited, and deer and duck clubs.

A service will be held at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park on May 30 at 11am.