On Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, Ronald Gregory Bento of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away in the comfort of his home surrounded by family. Propitiously, the time of death was 4:44pm. Often referred to as the angel number, 444 is a spiritual number that signifies the beginning of another phase of life and that angels are keeping watch. Having struggled with many complications following emergency heart surgery on April 28, 2021, Ron was eager for his homegoing, giving repeated assurances that his 86 earthly years had been full and well-lived. “I’ve had a good innings,” he would say. He leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Annette Bento; his three daughters: Ingrid Bento-Clarke (and her husband Gerard Clarke, and son G.J. Clarke), Lisa Bento (and her partner Patti Lue Shue, and sons Marcus and Dominic Allan), and Brigitte Espinet (and her husband Gilbert Espinet, and children Jean-Luc and Chelsea Espinet); and his stepdaughters Chantale Archer (and her husband Todd Archer and children Sheldon Falor and Marissa Adkins); and Lisa Quintyne. Also in mourning is a large network of extended family living in Trinidad, the United States, Canada, Switzerland, and Spain. Born to Elfie Bento and Victor Bryan on Nov. 17, 1935, in Trinidad, Ron lived half his life in Florida’s Pinellas County, where he retired after managing real estate for the Diocese of St. Petersburg for more than 20 years. A devout Catholic, Ron was also a parishioner for 37 years at Blessed Trinity where he regularly served as a lector. His involvement in the community also included his serving on the St. Petersburg Carnival Committee where he helped to bring some of the culture of his native land to St. Pete for the enjoyment of Trinidadian expats and those Floridians wanting a taste of the Caribbean. His participation in Carnival planning also was representative of his love for a good “lime,” the Trini version of socializing. Always ready to connect and carouse with friends and family, Ron will be greatly missed for his convivial spirit. But more than that, the absence of his words of wisdom and signature tell-it-like-it-is ways will be difficult to get used to – as will the generosity that prompted him to lend a hand financially in whatever way he could whenever the opportunity presented itself. However, we also know death is part of life, and now we find comfort in the fact that Ron has been called to enjoy the absolute peace of his heavenly home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1600 54th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712. Also, please scroll down to the bottom of this page for a link to the Blessed Trinity donation page.