In loving memory of Ben, a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle/fun-cle, and friend, who left this world on September 23, 2023, following a prolonged and arduous battle with scleroderma. Ben fought so hard and met each new challenge with grace. He wasn’t ready to leave and we weren’t ready to say goodbye. His absence has left a profound void in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Ben moved through life with an insatiable curiosity. He was a seeker of knowledge, a guy who knew a lot about a lot of things. A true renaissance man, he had an artistic side too, he wrote, drew, carved, and played instruments including bongos and harmonica. Ben also had an incredible gift for storytelling— usually delivered with a mischievous grin and razor-sharp wit. A true conversationalist, he could, and would, talk to anyone about anything, yet he didn’t suffer fools. He wouldn’t shy away from expressing his disagreement, yet he remained open to all points of view, and loved a spirited and civil debate.
Ben was an avid outdoorsman and his love of nature, and fishing in particular, took him on many adventures. He travelled the globe, often by boat, in a variety of fascinating jobs, collecting friends and just a “few” fishing mementos wherever he went. His marinated barbequed salmon was legendary, as was the infectious laughter and joy he brought to every gathering.
Ben’s love of the outdoors was only surpassed by the love he had for his wife Barb, parents Timothy and Cherilyn, siblings Deborah, Joel and Nathan and his large extended family. Preserving connections was important to Ben, and he never hesitated to reach out and check in often with everyone. His warmth and genuine care for those around him not only strengthened his bonds with family and friends but also left a lasting impact on the lives he touched, creating treasured memories for all who knew him.
Ben and his wife Barb cherished the life they built together, filled with love and laughter. They delighted in being at home, traveling, embarking on RV road trips, and spending time with friends and family. Other than suffering from ‘man-vision’ (the inability to find the most commonplace object in the most obvious place), he was an extraordinary husband–a skilled cook, thoughtful, wise, hilarious, handy and handsome. Ben and Barb were each other’s co-pilot in life, bonded and devoted to each other’s happiness.
A few paragraphs will never be sufficient to describe the richness of Ben’s life, so we ask you to please join us in paying tribute to him, laughing and remembering all that he was to each of us. Family and friends are invited to gather and reminisce at a Celebration of Life to be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 pm.
For those unable to attend in person, you are invited to attend virtually via zoom, by clicking the following link.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82134849797?pwd=NbaKMUKSMNpPI0U3MduvBlzfOTotCF.1
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Naomi Bowen (nee Stevens)
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Mary and Gerald With fondest memories of Ben and the happy times spent with him.
Our deepest sympathies to his wife Barbara and his parents, my cousin,Cherry and Tim, Debbie, Nathan and Joel also their extended family.
Our love to you all from Mary, Gerald,Peter,David and Julie.
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Ken Wand In around 1990 at the Transtech Data Services office, Ben was introduced to other employees, resulting in many lifelong friendships. He was the “Friendly Manitoban” personified.
(That first summer, Ben proved to be, (like many original and probably current Transtech employees)), a great co-worker. We basically worked and lived together 24 hours a day. We shared motel rooms, campsites and other shared housing. We also drove together in many different vehicles while having both superficial and in-depth conversations. Work involved collecting primary traffic data for Transtech and the Ministry of Transportation. As we worked, we basically explored British Columbia including greater Vancouver together.
Ben took to British Columbia like ” a fish to water”
(considering his later career as a fishing guide this was most appropriate).Those of us who drove with, travelled with, repelled down cliffs with, engaged in a little target shooting with, fished with, and pubbed with, ended up realizing that with Ben and the others this was quality time, If Ben was driving you could trust him to make the right judgement call, which is part of a valuable skill set in a long distance driving companion
Naturally his life changed after he met Barb, his lovely and talented wife.
He went from a time when he ate a lot of ramen noodles and large homemade sandwiches while fending for himself, to a man whose culinary skills blossomed. Meals that he and Barb created never ceased to amaze me. Despite all that he stilled loved fish and chips and rightfully so. He and Barb built an extremely happy and comfortable life together.Right from the start of our friendship he was a terrific conversationalist. Seldom dogmatic, usually well informed. If you didn’t agree on something you could set that subject aside until both of you could research the matter further or just let it go.
Opinionated he may have been during the Covid years like many of us, I never once saw him as a mean person.
To all his family, friends and all those who loved and admired him I am
very sorry for your loss, or rather, our loss. Sorry that his bravery and singlemindedness to beat his incredibly complicated health problems wasn’t rewarded. And didn’t end in what we were all so hoping for, a return to the normality of the fishing trips, the conversations and maybe a few more camping trips, and also the sharing of good fish and chips with him.Ben, thanks for the memories and all the laughs. In the days before you met Barb, I still chuckle when I think about that rich lady in Van Nuys who was my friend Mary’s next door neighbour and was embarrassing you with her attentions, or with Afzal and I in the Bayside Room in English Bay with that other rich lady who was so interested in you, and again you were so embarrassed. Those days were a lot of fun and we all appreciated you so much.
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Aunt Julia My memories of Ben are of a fun loving person, and I will remember him fondly.
Haiku for a much-loved nephew
I remember Ben
as cheerful, chatty, active,
happy and helpful.