November 6, 1957 - October 17, 2018
Ben passed away peacefully at his residence in Wynndel after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his love Carmen, family and friends, and his dogs.
Ben was born on November 6, 1957 in Vancouver, B.C. He was raised in Ladner where he went to school from grades 1-7. His family moved to Surrey when he was 14. He had a varied amount of birds and animals including horses, goats, geese, ducks, exotic pheasants, and even a monkey. Hence his great love of animals and nature. He attended grade 8 and 9 at Cloverdale Junior High and grades 10,11 and 12 at Earl Marriot in Surrey. Ben moved to the Kootenays in 1978 and lived in Crawford Bay for a year before moving to Wynndel.
Ben was hired at CP Rail in 1979 and worked for this company for 35 years. First as a bridgeman, then a bridge foreman and at various times as a Bridge and Building Supervisor. He travelled extensively with his job and worked in many beautiful areas of the Kootenays, but his fondest work memories are his time spent at Sirdar and working on the bridge at Kootenay Landing.
Ben met his best friend and greatest love Carmen in the fall of 1981 and they married August 2, 1986. They had a wonderful life together and took numerous vacations to Costa Rica and Mexico, and also traveled to Panama and Nicaragua.
Ben was predeceased by his father James Samuel Conn (1988), his mother Eileen Smith (2004), his sister Teresa Diane Conn (1957), and sister Judith Marie Oldershaw (1999).
Ben is survived by his brothers James Steven Conn of Surrey, William David Conn of Aldergrove and Daniel Tyler Conn of Cloverdale; his wife Carmen Conn of Wynndel; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Ben's other passions included a love of many musical genres, all things cultural and historical, travelling, gardening, photography, his dogs and parrots, and spending time with his family and friends. He was known for making everyone feel welcome and many of his friendships lasted a lifetime. Ben is remembered as being very kind, charming, always had a positive attitude and a fantastic sense of humour. He touched many lives and losing Ben has left a tremendous void in our lives. He will be missed. We love you!
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. Friends and family wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the B.C. Cancer Foundation, Southern Interior, 399 Royal Avenue, Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 5L3.
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