January 27, 1917 – January 28, 2008
Ben was born in Edmonton Alberta. He and his wife Margaret were married on April 9, 1938. Ben was an avid sportsman. He loved to play ball, hockey, golf, and fish. He also devoted time to coaching youth baseball. In later years he was a member of the Edmonton Sr. Baseball Assn. He and Marg moved to the Arrow Lakes area of BC in 1977. They were involved with the Burton Hall Board and the Burton Seniors. Ben moved to Calgary in June 2007. He passed away peacefully on the morning of Jan 28th, 2008 in the Colonel Belcher Nursing Home in Calgary, AB. He will be missed very much by his family and friends, and always remembered for his friendliness and warm smile. He was truly our “Gentle Ben”. We are grateful he is now at rest and enjoying the Peace of Jesus. Ben is survived by his loving daughters Roberta (Joe) Olson of Calgary, AB and Janet (Doug) Brown of Nakusp, BC. Grandchildren – Sandra (Ken) Higton , Ben (Wendy) Olson, and Lisa (Forrest) Lavik, all of Calgary, and Gina (Ronald) Volansky and Laura (Rodney) Katchen, and step grandchildren Len (Marie) Brown all of Nakusp, and Elladee Brown of Vancouver. He also had fifteen great-grandchildren who were very special to him. He is also survived by his older sister Elsie Lehman of Delta, BC and brother-in-law Robert (Gladys) Hertzberg of Edmonton, AB, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife Margaret, his parents, and 8 brothers and 5 sisters. The Family would like to thank all the wonderful staff of Colonel Belcher Nursing Home for the loving care they gave to Ben the last 5 months of his life. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday February 9, 2008 at 2:30 PM at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, 17th Ave, Garden Road NW in Calgary, AB with Chaplin Kenn Balzer of the Colonel Belcher’s officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ben can be made to Colonel Belcher Nursing Home. An additional Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held in Nakusp, BC on February 20 at 2 PM at the Arrow Lakes Alliance Church with Pastor Warren Fulmore officiating.