I wish that I could say Ben passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones, but he did not. His death and the days leading up to his death were full of solitude and darkness. After a long courageous battle with depression and substance abuse he finally gave up. On May 3rd, 2023 the incredible human, full of love and light that we all knew took his last breaths alone and hanging from a rope in his closet.

Ben was a naturally reserved person, he was often the quiet observer in the room which gave him the incredible skill of noticing ways he could help others. He fiercely loved his people and showed it in so many small, everyday acts of kindness. He always knew exactly what I needed before I even realized it. He was the hardest worker that ever knew. He would work a 15 hour day of manual labor and still show up to help a friend move without hesitance. His extraordinary level of empathy, sensitive nature, and his huge heart made him an easy target for the world to chew up and spit out. He began using substances to escape from the pain and depression Not realizing it was only adding fuel to the fire. Despite his pain and suffering He loved ferociously until his last breath.

If you feel like you can no longer live in this world, or think your loved ones would be better off without you, know that you are loved, you are wanted, and you can make it through this. It’s not weakness to ask for help. people love you, you just have to speak up.