Passed away peacefully at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington on Monday, July 15, 2013 at the age of 86 after a valiantly fought battle since January. Loving husband to Maria and proud father of daughters Anne (Bruce), Mary-Jane (David), Pauline (Tony), Jennifer (David) and son Michael (Ana). Doting grandfather of Jeffrey, Bonnie, Heather, Bryan, Angela, Taylor, Kerri-Anne, Christine, Natale, Daniel, Cory, Adrienne and Mattias. Born in Holland, Ben came to Canada with his wife and first child in 1956 leaving behind large and close knit families. He travelled the world for both business and pleasure and took time to smell the roses along the way. A true friend and gentleman to all he met, Ben lived a life of honesty, integrity and with a great sense of joy. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home at 64 Lakeshore Rd. W. in Oakville on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Donations can be made in Ben's honour to The Arthritis Society of Ontario in lieu of flowers. Cards will be available at the Visitation or go to www.arthritis.ca.

A mass celebrating Ben's life will be held at St. Andrew's Catholic Church at 47 Reynolds Street in Oakville on Thursday, July, 18, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.

A warm and heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff in the ICU at Joseph Brant Hospital.