Benjamin Suarez-Toro

Benjamin Suarez-Toro IV, 58, passed away Sunday, November 8th 2020 at North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville Fl, following a battle with heart disease. Born and raised in Cali, Colombia, the son of Gladys Toro Shields and Benjamin Suarez-Ramirez III, he spent his early childhood getting into trouble with his brother Carlos Suarez, and being a general pain to his mother, Gladys. In his teens he and his family moved to America, where Benjamin attended and graduated from Chiefland High School. In 1984, Benjamin married his 1st wife, Reba Lynn Swanwick and had two children; Benjamin Suarez-Swanwick V and Jessica Marie Suarez. In 1992 Benjamin met his 2nd wife, Dominique Guyot, of which they raised a son, Roman Barnes, and remained together until his passing.Benjamin had a lust for life; owning many businesses and having many professions. Some of his more cherished occupations were that of a professional SCUBA diver, assisting the State of Florida in multiple operations in and around Levy County. He founded Suarez Logistics; a transportation company, and in 2005, Benjamin, along with his fleet of trucks, delivered water and aid to the people of New Orleans following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In his later years, he was a Limousine Chauffeur in South Florida, transporting many famous athletes, musicians, actors, and businessmen. He was the favorite driver of many of these notable people due to his friendly demeanor, playful candor, and professionalism. He not only took pride in his work, but relished the friends he made during his tenure. His friends knew him for his pride, charisma, and magnetic personality. Always ready to lend a helping hand. Having a passion for mechanics, he often spent many hours with Junior, his dear and closest friend, working on trucks and jeeps late into the evening. His family remembers him for his strong leadership, his generosity, and for being a big goofball, often going out of his way to embarrass them in public by pulling pranks and telling jokes. His children have fond memories of his driving etiquette which consisted of steadfast braking, seemingly inattentiveness to his surroundings, and excessive speeding.His love for food far exceeded his other passions, as he could almost always be found in the closest Colombian Cantina, eating delicious food, singing, dancing, and laughing with those closest to him. He leaves his wife of 28 years, Dominique Guyot; his sons, Benjamin Suarez-Swanwick V, and Roman Barnes; his daughter, Jessica Marie Suarez; his mother, Gladys Shields; his father, Benjamin Suarez-Ramirez III; his step-father, Gary Shields; his brothers, Carlos Suarez, Julian David Suarez, Andres Felipe; his sisters Maria Goodwin, Geovanina, and Tati; his niece Alexandria Suarez; his nephews, Ryan and Andrew Goodwin; grandchildren, Jolena Bainbridge and Azrael Barnes; and so many more family and close friends.

Benjamin Suarez-Toro

October 23, 1962 - November 8, 2020