I have known Ben for sixty years (no, I don't really believe it. either), meeting him in Mrs. Beal's Spanish Class. He was one of my two best friends I have in this World. Brilliant, incredible sense of humor, virtuoso guitar player and all around musician (I teased him calling him crazy chops) and a warm and kind human being. Spent many days together with him back when he lived in Lynnewood Gardens listening to the albums that to this day have shown to have aged quite well. Later, he moved to Solebury whereby I had the privilege to visit his home many times and enjoyed his welcoming hospitality. Summers consisting of hundreds (?) of thoroughly enjoyable days at the NJ Shore areas. One of the best memories was vacationing on a weekend together in Wildwood (with Jeff Connor, my best friend, made us three). On a Saturday night, we found a recording studio in town. We recorded Under The Boardwalk by The Drifters calling ourselves The Gerbils (Jerry Penacoli reference). Ben asked that I sing the lead vocal telling me I had the best voice to do the song with the ability to get to the high range required to do it justice. He always encouraged me to sing and to this day I always cherish his compliment. His wife, Diane, is looking around for the audio tape to play at his Celebraton of Life Event scheduled for August 12th. I printed out the lyrics brushing up to be able to perform it in the event Diane can't find it. I pray she finds that tape to play. If I have to sing it, doubt I will be able to get through the song without breaking down. He had Lewy Body Dementia ("LBD"), which was diagnosed about five and a half year ago. Easily as horrible a disease as ALS. LBD robeed him of his abiluty to play gurtar and a large prrtion of his humanity. Diane, bless her love for Ben and her incredible faith, took great care of him until the very end. For that, she has my unwavering love and admiration. In closing, he may be gone, perhaps being for the better, but I will miss him until the day I die. I love you, Ben. You were among the best of us. May his memory be a blessing.
Mitchell Schwartz
I have known Ben for sixty years (no, I don't really believe it. either), meeting him in Mrs. Beal's Spanish Class. He was one of my two best friends I have in this World. Brilliant, incredible sense of humor, virtuoso guitar player and all around musician (I teased him calling him crazy chops) and a warm and kind human being. Spent many days together with him back when he lived in Lynnewood Gardens listening to the albums that to this day have shown to have aged quite well. Later, he moved to Solebury whereby I had the privilege to visit his home many times and enjoyed his welcoming hospitality. Summers consisting of hundreds (?) of thoroughly enjoyable days at the NJ Shore areas. One of the best memories was vacationing on a weekend together in Wildwood (with Jeff Connor, my best friend, made us three). On a Saturday night, we found a recording studio in town. We recorded Under The Boardwalk by The Drifters calling ourselves The Gerbils (Jerry Penacoli reference). Ben asked that I sing the lead vocal telling me I had the best voice to do the song with the ability to get to the high range required to do it justice. He always encouraged me to sing and to this day I always cherish his compliment. His wife, Diane, is looking around for the audio tape to play at his Celebraton of Life Event scheduled for August 12th. I printed out the lyrics brushing up to be able to perform it in the event Diane can't find it. I pray she finds that tape to play. If I have to sing it, doubt I will be able to get through the song without breaking down. He had Lewy Body Dementia ("LBD"), which was diagnosed about five and a half year ago. Easily as horrible a disease as ALS. LBD robeed him of his abiluty to play gurtar and a large prrtion of his humanity. Diane, bless her love for Ben and her incredible faith, took great care of him until the very end. For that, she has my unwavering love and admiration. In closing, he may be gone, perhaps being for the better, but I will miss him until the day I die. I love you, Ben. You were among the best of us. May his memory be a blessing.