Joseph Francis Benn passed away on Jan. 11, 2025 at the young age of 66.

Joe was the son of Donald and Elizabeth Benn. As the middle child of seven he learned how to stand out in a crowd.

Every memory of group photos taken by our dad included remembering his voice saying, “Joey stop making that face.”

Joe grew up in Santa Barbara and graduated from San Marcos High School in 1977. He was on the track team and in the ROTC with his brothers Jim and Kevin.

After high school he worked at Clénet Coachworks in Goleta, where he was the lead painter for a team of four or five painters who were part of production for that luxury car.

He earned an AS degree in real estate, got his brokers license and appraisal license, and worked with a local real estate appraiser, who taught him the ropes and became a lifelong friend.

Joe was an optimistic, self-confident, determined man.

He opened his appraisal/broker business with offices in Goleta, and later moved to Seattle, Washington, with his wife Mary. Later they divorced but remained friends. She took care of him prior to his passing as did his wonderful neighbors Aimee and Jeffrey.

Joe was a loving son and father, and a cherished brother, uncle and friend. Always willing to reach out to help whoever needed it, sometimes before they knew they wanted any help.

For fun he liked painting, both houses and cars, gardening ,and trying to stop the unstoppable blackberries, and all kinds of projects in and outside his houses.

His kind and honest spirit, quick-witted sense of humor, and fun stories about his many adventures will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kevin, and his brother-in-law Allen.

He is survived by his cherished daughter Makena and stepson Sam; siblings Dennis (Janice) Benn, Mary (Allen d 2019) Whitehair, James (Laura) Benn, Barbara (Randy) Hunt, and Kenneth Benn; sister-in-law Janis (Kevin d 2022); nephews and nieces Justin, his godson Nathan, Jeff, Steven, David, Alicia, Katharyn, Rachel, Megan, Genevieve; and all his many great nieces and great nephews; Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bobbie; and many wonderful cousins.

There will be a memorial service at 10 a.m. Friday, March 28 at St Raphael Catholic Church, 5444 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, with internment to follow at Calvary Cemetery 199 Hope Ave., Santa Barbara.