Nicholas "Nico" Antonio Benavides

Nicholas Antonio Benavides, 20, our beloved son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend, entered into the glory of his eternal life on Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas surrounded by his loving family.

Nico, as he was affectionately known to all, was born in Frankfurt, Germany. He had been a lifetime resident of Brownsville, having grown up here. He was a graduate of James Pace High School Class of 2010. Nico enjoyed going fishing but his true passion was playing basketball. Nico enjoyed cheering for his favorite team the Miami Heat. Nico had an awesome sense of humor as well as a big heart. Even in death, Nico will help countless others who will receive the gift of life through the organs and tissue that he donated. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to his family and friends. Nico was greatly loved and will be profoundly missed by all those fortunate to have known him.

Nico is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Esperanza Mendez his paternal grandmother, Mary Helen Benavides and his maternal uncle, Roberto Mendez Jr.

Left behind to eternally treasure their memories of Nico are his mother and stepfather: Monica Iris and Rudy Buitureira his older brother: Ricardo Rico Benavidez III and his fiance Amy Sanchez his two younger sisters: Bryanna and Bianca Buitureira, his father, Ricardo Benavides Jr. his nephew Brandon Benavidez and the nephew thats on the way who will carry his name: Bradley Nico Benavidez. Nico will also be missed by his maternal grandfather, Roberto Mendez, his paternal stepgrandparents, Fulgencio and Maria Elena Buitureira his maternal aunts and uncles: Margie Felipe Beltran, David Mendez, Yvette Juan Rey, and Cesar Nancy Mendez his cousins: Bobby and Vanessa Beltran, Erica and Ashley Mendez, Miguel and Monique Rey, Alejandra and Carolina Mendez and his cousin who is on the way: Cesar Daniel Mendez; step-brother, Steven; and numerous other relatives, extended family members, and a multitude of friends.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and continue through 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in the East Chapel at DarlingMouser Funeral Home with the recitation of the holy rosary scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at St. Josephs Catholic Church, 555 W. St. Francis St. Committal services will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park.

Ricardo Rico Benavidez III, Cesar Mendez, Felipe Beltran, Juan Rey, Miguel Rey, Roberto Bobby Beltran, and Mark Guerrero are honored to be serving as Nicos pallbearers.

David Mendez, Coach Larry Gibson, Joseph Martinez, Israel Garcia Jr. Chicken Little, Alan Perez, Javier Rivera Jr., Javier Ojeda, Michael Putzel, Matthew Putzel, Javi Guero Villarreal II, Edward Casares, Alex Robertson, Alex Quiroga, Steven Almazan, Michael Campbell, Sal Villapando Jr., Shane Rhode, Mac Gonzalez, Joel Vigil, Ruben Castro, and Jaime Figueroa will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Nicos love of basketball, the family is requesting that memorial gifts in Nicos name be made to his mother, Monica I. Buitureira, to help Nicos team, the Ballaholics, with the expenses for the upcoming city league basketball season. To further celebrate Nicos life, we ask that for those of you attending the funeral service, please wear the colors for the Miami Heat red, black, and white.

Visitation

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Boulevard
Brownsville, TX  78520
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Holy Rosary

Darling-Mouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Boulevard
Brownsville, TX  78520
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Joseph Catholic Church
555 W. St Francis
Brownsville, TX  78520
Thursday, March 14, 2013

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521

Memorial Contributions

5732 Hidden Oaks Circle
Brownsville, TX  78520