

“Encouragement is like water to the soul, it makes everything grow.” ― Chris Burkmenn
Obituary
Benjamin 'Ben' Meyers passed away in his mother's arms Dec 31, 2024 at the young age of 36.
Ben was born in Kingston, NY in May 1988. He grew up in Hurley, NY enjoying the outdoors and getting into adventures. As a young boy, Ben had a vivid imagination. He would craft stories for hours in his room playing with playmobiles and wrestling action figures. In 1996, the family moved to Williston, Vermont. He graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 2004 and from Vermont Tech in 2008.
Ben’s life was filled with friends A true people person, he was a thoughtful, compassionate, and loving young man who excelled in listening and encouraging others. He was genuine and confident. His exuberance and cheeky jokes would often lighten the mood of a room. He welcomed everyone with an open mind and an open heart.
Those who knew Ben will remember him for his infectious smile and twinkling blue eyes. He had a rare gift for making others smile and laugh, leaving a lasting impact on all who crossed his path. Ben loved to read (Game of Thrones was one of his favorites). He enjoyed music, hiking, and trivia. He had a passion for sports and would relay statistics at the drop of a hat while watching TV with his father.
In Jan 2021, Ben was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. Through all his trials and tribulations, he exemplified grace, taking on each challenge with a smile and determination. He was loved by so many in the medical field as he endured countless tests and hospital stays. A huge thank you to the UVM Home Health Team that supported him through years of treatment, the Hospice team that cared for his end of life needs and the numerous doctors and nurses that never gave up on him.
Ben was predeceased by his father Steve. He is survived by his mother JoAnne and his brother Zachary. He also leaves behind his grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins who adored him dearly. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and the many whose lives were touched by him.
A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers Ben would prefer you donate to https://www.rawoodfoundation.org/ or St Judes. Thank you to all that knew and loved Ben and helped make his life special.
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Ben's Memory wall
I met Ben while working for Christmas Tree Shops in VT. I was lucky enough to watch his transition from a youngster to an adult, but don't worry because he never lost that young part. Ben was always there to crack a joke, make you smile, or be that ear/shoulder that you needed. I invited less than 50 people to my wedding that was all the way down the east coast and he was in from the moment I asked. I still remember him coming to the 2nd reception we had back home, and getting punched in the stomach by the Italian lady because he said he stopped for Taco Bell on the way to a cookout!!
Ben was the definition of selfless. I did not hear from him much during the last few years but always thought of him. Ben was a magnificent man (literally sent him a delivery through Amazon labeled as such) and I will smile every time I look at the pictures on my wall that include him as they remind me of how I should live my life to the fullest.
Rest easy my friend as you have done the work of a thousand men.


I remember in the old office he sat near the door with Tamika and they both were on the later shift and Ben always had a smile no matter how hard his calls were. I would his laughter and you would smile and laugh too. We always were chatting inside of work or outside. He loved coming over when RealPage had our gatherings, of course he enjoyed the food too.
Ben was genuine, and he was so kind. When Tamika had passed away, he spoke at her service and there was not a dry eye in the room.
Ben would be at work in the lunchroom, you could hear his laughter, and he loved when I brought in my home-made Mac N Cheese. I was his office, Mom.
I have memories of going to the Patriot football game and enjoy Lake Monsters on twenty-five cent hot dog night.
If I close my eyes, I can hear his laugh and see his awesome smile. I love you and miss you! God Bless you!
I am so sorry for your loss. Ben was a special person who will missed by all who knew him.
Ben, I just want to thank you for always being the kindest, sweetest, most caring son, brother, cousin & nephew. All of us, in your family, are truly blessed to have known and loved you. Our lives will never be the same without you.
Thank you for the memories we shared over the years. More importantly to me, thank you for thinking to call me early on to let me know you would probably be needing surgery.
I will forever remember our chat.
That day, even in the face of the unknown, you put others before yourself. Thank you for sharing your concern for your Mom. Thank you for asking me to be there for her throughout this journey you were facing. Thank you for trusting me to supply the support to her that you felt she would need. It was a selfless, loving thing for you to do.
Thank you, Ben for always looking out for others first. It's a great example of how we should all live. Thank you for trusting me to be there for your Mom. I will never fail to honor your request.
We love you, Ben. We will miss you endlessly. Until we meet again!
Aunt Janet/Uncle Mike
Ben was like a big brother, always looking out for me, his younger sister. For as long as I can remember, he called me “Kiddo”. He’d pick me up from work late at night to make sure I got home safe, and when I moved to NYC, he’d make me text him when I got home from any late nights. When I was homesick and feeling so alone in the city, he’d send flowers, or balloons, or cards, to remind me that I never was actually alone. And in the tough moments he felt like I was losing sight of myself, he’d give me the grounding I needed to make sure I still stayed true to who I, and he, knew I was.
I’ll forever hold onto the memories of getting lost in New Orleans with him, and accidentally blowing all the powdered sugar from my beignet onto his face from laughing at his joke. Of trying to find our way out of the Rainbow Mountains in the snow and pitch black night in Iceland, and his groan every time we stopped for a photo of yet another waterfall. Of him always making fun of me for crying at the end of The Lion King, because it “ends the same every time!”. Our tradition of, for some reason, always having to buy the other a tequila shot. Of making apple pies at his house and discovering his baby photo on the fridge, which I still have a photo of. The socks he crocheted me with his mom’s help, and Heather and I going to visit him at Christmas Tree Shops, and leaving reviews telling people to “always ask for Ben!”. Of him helping me pick out outfits for job interviews and trusting his opinions, which was funny because 99% of his wardrobe came from winning trivia. Of trying to find our way out of corn mazes without using a map (never successfully), and him ALWAYS somehow winning when we played Pretty Pretty Princess, at which I still think he somehow cheated. Or the deep life chats we’d frequently have, half the time not even knowing how we got onto the topic.
I remember one night, our immediate friend group was playing a game where everyone would write down a name and put it in a hat. Everyone would then pick a name, and without looking you'd put it on your forehead, and everyone had to give you clues as to who you were. In one round, every single one of us put “Ben Meyers”. I’ll never forget Ben’s laugh when he looked at all our foreheads and just saw his name repeated. He then said “guys, you can’t ALL put me” to which I responded “Ben, even YOU put your name!”. He just kept laughing and said “I know!”. That was a testament to who Ben was - someone everyone wanted to resemble.
When you’d poke fun at him, his favorite line was “you don’t know me!”, but the truth was, we always did. Ben lived unapologetically as himself - loving, honest, authentic, and genuine. You knew who Ben was, because you knew a good heart when you met one.
The night before his surgery, we had a long conversation, talking about the past, the present, and most importantly the future. Ben knew what was in front of him, and while there was a certain discomfort in the unknown, he was ready to embrace it. And just as he had always done for me, I reminded him that when life get’s frightening, he’s never, ever, alone.
Grief is the price we pay for love. Ben loved hard, and was loved hard in return. The grief I feel in my heart is unrelenting, but the love is overwhelming. To feel his loss so hard is a reflection of how fortunate I was to have had a friendship like Ben’s in my life. I’m a better person for it.
Now, at 33, there is a sorrow in knowing that Ben won’t be there to share in life’s next big moments with. But, then I hear his laugh in my head, and I remember that while he may not be there with me physically, he’ll forever be there with me in my heart.
I love you, Benjamin. Thank you for the imprint you left on me, our friends, and our sliver of the world.
xx,
Kiddo





Over the years, Ben and I shared many adventures—road-tripping to New Jersey and Boston, exploring the swamps of New Orleans, and chasing waterfalls in Iceland, with countless other unforgettable moments in between. But some of my favorite memories weren't about the destinations we reached—they were about the journeys we took together. Long car rides and flights became opportunities for us to catch up on life, share stories, and laugh until we cried. Ben had this rare ability to make you feel completely at ease—like whatever you had to say was worth hearing. He was open, attentive, and never judgmental. I am lucky to have had him by my side during some of the most formative years of my life.
One thing I'll always treasure about Ben is his childlike sense of fun. He had a way of making even the most mundane moments unforgettable. I'll never forget when we had a road trip contest to see who could hit the high note in Kesha's "Praying." Spoiler alert: neither of us nailed it, but that didn't stop us from trying, over and over again, the entire way to New Jersey and back.
As I reflect on the past 14 years, memories of Ben have been flooding back—moments of laughter, deep conversations, and shared experiences that I'll carry with me forever. It's hard to put into words the bond we shared or his impact on my life, but I know I'll always cherish it. Ben was one of a kind, and I feel so grateful to have called him my friend.



I have far too many memories of Ben to share here, as he was a pivotal part of my entire life.
High School:
Ben was the short kid in our friend group, believe it or not! His backpack was bigger than him, yet he hustled through the halls with speed. We would play cards during free block, rush to finish our homework in the computer lab during lunch, and craft our school presentations so he could show off his John Madden impression!
College:
I left VT and Ben stayed. We reconnected in the summer and he had grown 2 feet and a new jaw line! A handsome young man indeed, his confidence was growing.
Burlington:
Ben and I were roommates for a number of years. We experienced some of our highest highs and lowest lows together, and Ben was always compassionate, caring, and supportive. Many a fun time were had downtown, including “Classy Night” where Ben pieced together an entirely plaid suit, and karaoke where he sang “Walking on Sunshine” and the crowd loved him. He gladly shared his energy with friends and strangers alike, ensuring a fun time for all.
Long Distance:
I met a girl and followed her to the west coast, and Ben made sure to stay connected. He even flew out to visit, as he did with many friends who moved away. He made the effort.
Illness:
Ben called me from the hospital the night before his surgery. We spoke for a long while and it was the first and only time I ever heard slight fear in his voice. He was so in tune with himself, he knew there was a big battle ahead, yet he braved it and remained strong. When his text messages slowed and then stoped, my heart broke and I feared the worst, yet he remembered to send a message to wish me and my wife a happy anniversary. What a guy!
Back in VT:
I moved back to VT midway through Bens battle, and I feel so blessed to have visited multiple times. The first time he saw me, he shot up out of his wheelchair to give me a hug, expelling a days worth of energy just to embrace an old friend and make me feel loved. He also met my eldest daughter (see photo) and will always be known as Uncle Ben in our house.
Final Days:
Bens final act of giving was to hold on until he could see his family and friends one last time. I was fortunate to have visited him twice in the days leading to his passing, with his other close friends, and I truly believe he wanted to give us that gift: to have one last hangout. He passed the following day.
A Great Man:
Ben truly is the greatest man I may ever know. It has been a privilege to have had him in my life and I will miss him dearly. I only hope we can all strive to be more like Ben as we go on.
Love you Brother, I hope you are Walking on Sunshine and having a blast!

To say that I’ll always miss you is an understatement, and I know that you can hear these words and feel how deeply I care about you. But there are some things I want to share to honor you and our friendship.
You and I worked closely together at RealPage for many years. I’m humbled that I was able to help you move up in ranks from a product support agent to a gifted writer and consultant. As an employee, you showed extraordinary patience with clients and your peers, and I don’t remember a time you ever getting truly angry or upset, even when asked sometimes silly questions. Before I moved out of the state, you and I shared an office, and it was always my delight to see your reaction when I would bring you a pastry or something from the store. You were always grateful when I did, and you never took me for granted.
What people don’t know is the deep friendship and bond you and I formed during that time. On our downtime, we would talk for hours about anything and everything, and I always could trust you with even the most personal things or struggles in my life. You would listen patiently and always provided the most wise and gentle advice. You remembered every detail and would follow up with me randomly to see how I was. I also knew that I could trust you to never judge me, and you always supported me in everything I did. I truly felt safe with you in all ways, and you epitomized the true definition of a gentleman, a friend and beautiful soul.
My memories of us going to see the Patriots play, attending one of my Flynn shows, and going out to lunch or dinner with you will always be cherished. But my fondest memory of all will always be that beautiful smile that lit up the room and the light and love that radiated from the most kindest heart I’ve ever seen in a man.
To Mom and Dad, your son was a beautiful man inside and out, and if I had been blessed to have a son in this lifetime, I would’ve hoped and prayed he grew up to be just like Ben.
So Ben, until we see each other again, thank you for being who you were to me in this lifetime, and who I know you will always be in the future. I can’t wait to see you again. I love you and miss you. God bless you and fly free.
Many thanks to Ben for being a wonderful, sincere person.
I’m so sorry that we didn’t get to see each other the last couple years. My sincere condolences to his family. He will be missed by many. Love ya Benny.