I am absolutely devastated to discover the news of Ben's passing. Ben took me in as a patient when I was at rock bottom and taught me the skills needed to heal myself. I am so sad I am not able to tell him in person that I am doing so well now thanks to his hard work and dedication. He was a kind, gentle and patient soul. I will cherish my fond memories of Ben for a lifetime.
My heart goes out to his family and for their loss.
I had the pleasure of working with Ben. He was an inspiration. Funny, sincere and caring. Thanks Ben for all of your support when we worked together. This is such a great loss to so many.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Linda
Our early memory of Ben was when he and our daughter sang together in the Mississauga Youth Choir. The choir recording of the song for the cancer society "If We Try" gave goosebumps to anyone who heard it. Over the years we have enjoyed hearing about Ben's family and are sad his dream of having his own business, where he would have helped so many, was cut short. Ben had great warmth and a sense of humour and we still chuckle remembering a few years back when he shared with our son, his humorous memory of our old family car that he endearingly remembered as "old papsy"
Dr Ben was a shining light in the storm of mental illness in my life. His ability to be a calm voice of faith when my own was struggling was instrumental in my journey in faith and life. He will be greatly missed.
To his family, please know that his memory will live on through the positive changes experienced by my family through his life saving work. We are better because of his investment in our lives.
May God bless you all as you mourn his loss. He has served the Kingdom well.
You and Kim gave us our very first grandchild, a beautiful baby girl named Mabel. And then a few years later you blessed us with a handsome grandson Judah. Ben our whole family has always been so proud of your accomplishments and achievements in your family, church and profession. Your leaving us is not right. You are far too young and have still so much to contribute to our family, your community and the world. We all miss you terribly and will never get over that you have left us so soon. I miss your big hugs but know that fairly soon I will feel them again. God bless you my son,
Your loving father.
Ben I remember when I first met you in the delivery room at the obstetrics ward in Winnipeg. It was a beautiful fall day and I had been waiting to meet you for 9 months, imagining what you would look like and how big you would be. Your mom, brothers and I had spent many hours preparing for your arrival. Getting the room ready and your brothers deciding which toys they would share with you. You surprised us with your dark hair and deep brown eyes. You were amazing and we were so excited to bring you into our townhouse on Snow Street in the south end of Winnipeg. You soon felt the challenge to be just like your big brothers and eagerly joined the seemingly impossible task of doing everything they were doing. When we moved back to Mississauga you took your turn, sometimes reluctantly, at the general chores such as raking the leaves, shovelling snow, paper routes caring for our family dog, Misha.
You were a true gift from God, as were all of your brothers. What an amazing family experience we enjoyed as you and your brothers grew in love, maturity and wisdom. You had a wisdom and an ability to communicate which was well beyond your years. You were very prominent in any family discussions and always made sure that we were aware of your opinions and preferences. You were the first to bring a daughter into our family. You fell in love with Kim at Camp Mini-Yo-We and a few years later made her your beautiful bride. We have been truly privileged to have Kim as the first of four wonderful daughters in our family.
My sincerest condolences to Kim and to Ben's children and family members on the loss of Ben. I had the honor of being one of Ben's psychology instructors in 2000 at the University of Victoria and remember him as a kind, intelligent, and thoughtful young student eager to learn about psychotherapy and to become a psychologist. I know he went on to touch the lives of many after he graduated from UVic and that he will be greatly missed. We are proud to recognize him as one of our program's graduates.
Ben and I had a friendship of more than 40 years. We met as grade 1 students in Mississauga. We attended Camp Mini Yo We together in the mid 80s and were friends through high school. Ben was always popular. He was confident, outgoing, friendly and radiated a positive energy that attracted people. He was genuine and without a hint of superficiality. He was one of the few people I’ve met in life who was completely comfortable in his own skin. After high school, we met again by chance in 1998 when he was studying at Brock. I was new to the Niagara region at that time and appreciated how he introduced me to his circle of friends. Ben was as morally sound as anyone I’ve met. He never hesitated to do the right thing even if wasn’t the popular thing. We always shared a lot of laughs together. Our paths crossed yet again 10 years ago as we started our careers in Toronto. In 2013 he and Kim attended a party at our house when my first daughter was born and we went to
Jays games together. In late 2020 I considered that I had not heard from him in awhile and resolved to contact him. I soon heard the terrible news through my family. His courage and dignity in the final months was astounding. He actually counseled me as we considered how utterly unfair it all was. Rest In Peace my friend. I miss you terribly already. Thinking of Kim, Mabel and Judah and his extended family at this time.
Dear Kim, Mabel, Judah,
I will always remember Ben’s big smile when I bumped into you when we’re were walking our dogs in the neighborhood ❤️ Sending love to you, and hoping you find comfort in your memories and his love that lives on in you all. xo Sheila, Ger, Cate, Gareth & Evan
Ken, Judy and family. Although I never knew Ben, he must have been a significant and amazing human being seeing how this has deeply affected my dear friends, Ken and Judy. Blessings to the entire family as our Mighty God walks with you all through this time of sorrow and eternal joy knowing that Ben is safe in the loving embrace of Jesus.