Emil Benegalija

Emil “Milan” Benegalija, age 90, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 28, 2016 at Lake West Medical Center in Willoughby with his daughter by his side. Beloved husband for nearly 46 years of the late Beatrice (née Poli); loving father of Carla; caring “grandpa” of grandcat Milagros “Milli;” dearest son of the late Peter and Justina (née Prosek); dear brother of the late Justina “Tinca” Burkeljc (Jozef) (deceased); caring uncle of Sonja Tusar (Peter) (deceased), and Emil Burkeljc, all of Slovenija. Caring great uncle, great-great-uncle, godfather, and good friend to many.

Emil was an honest, hard-working, caring man, beloved by all who knew him. Born on October 30, 1926 in Zagorje ob Savi, Slovenija, then German-occupied Yugoslavia, Emil learned the value of discipline and hard work at a young age. At only 16, he was taken from his home and forced to serve in the German Army in WWII. With quick thinking and split second decision making, he managed to escape, and then surrender to American Paratroopers in the South of France. He was then placed in a POW camp in Naples, Italy for a few years, and also spent time in the Royal Air Force as a bartender. In 1948 he immigrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he lived for 16 years during the Perón Era. In 1964, just before Christmas Eve, he finally came to the United States, where he fully established his life. Throughout his whole life, music played a vital role. He believed his guitar helped save his life during the war. The Officers were impressed with his talent and even requested he perform for them. He earned their admiration and respect, and truly believed that is why he was sent to France and not Russia, where the conditions were brutal and many didn’t survive. To so many, he will always be remembered as a great musician and vocalist. For over 60 years he was an active musician until the age of 87. He performed, recorded, and was on television with various bands and quartets in Argentina. He played for 25 years with Veseli Slovenci (Happy Slovenians), which were the house band at the old Hofbrau Haus on 55th in Cleveland. He also met his wife, Beatrice, there. They married in 1969. For 23 years he played with the Stan Mejac Orchestra. In both bands, he was the lead vocalist. They spent many years playing for the annual Oktoberfest as well. Aside from music, he worked as a machinist for different companies, most notably for Caterpillar, where he eventually retired. Whatever he did, he took pride in his work, and believed in doing it right. He was a perfectionist. Despite his busy work schedule, he was always there to be a devoted husband and father, a true family man. His daughter, Carla, his only child, was the apple of his eye, and best birthday present he ever received. When not working or playing with the bands, he loved gardening, working in the yard, and doing other tasks around the house. He was very handy, and could fix just about anything. Everyone admired the flowers he planted, particularly his roses. He also grew a vegetable garden, and people loved his green beans, tomatoes, peppers, spinach, endive, and other lettuce. He generously shared them with anyone. He loved taking rides with his wife and daughter in the evening to Chagrin Falls, many day trips to Amish Country, and anywhere with natural scenic beauty. He enjoyed playing cards and doing word searches, particularly the Wonderword in the Plain Dealer. His mind was very sharp up until the end. His happiest moments were spent with his wife and daughter and the company of good friends. His daughter turned him into quite the night owl, where they’d both stay up till the wee hours, watching the late shows, Travel Channel, and reruns of old comedy shows. They shared many good times and laughs doing so. Emil will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but the memories we have of him will live on in our hearts forever. We will always remember him as a humble, soft-spoken man, with the kindest eyes, and most loving smile. A man who truly loved and enjoyed what he did, especially with his music, who equally gave so much joy to others through the years with his music, and simply by his gentle, good nature. A life well lived to the fullest, only one way, his way!!

Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 1730 Mount Carmel Dr., Wickliffe, Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 11 a.m. Interment All Souls Cemetery in Chardon. Friends received at ZEVNIK-COSIC FUNERAL HOME, 28890 CHARDON RD. (BETWEEN ROCKEFELLER RD. AND BISHOP RD.) WILLOUGHBY HILLS, TUESDAY FROM 2-4 AND 6-8 P.M.