Contributions to the tribute of Benjamin R. Defibaugh

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Praying for you, Deb, John, and family, that the Lord will be especially close to you at this difficult time, and in the days to come. Memories are priceless. I bought a newspaper the other day because my friend had a baby, and I wanted to give it to her to commemorate the day of her little one's birth. Unfortunately, I read the news in that paper. Deb, I miss you, dear old friend. Much love to you.

J

Jan Higa Boulder Colorado posted a condolence

I was saddened to hear of Ben's passing. I feel honored to have known him as did my parents, especially my late step-father Arthur Buzard, who always enjoyed lengthy conversations with him at the bank. Ben had a sense of humor that many people didn't know about. I remember once while at their home in Smethport a few years back one of those rare moments when something is said and you just can't stop laughing. We laughed for what seemed a good twenty minutes. I was still laughing after I left. I wish I could remember what it was about. Everyone should experience moments such as this. Ben was a survivor. He fought bravely for his country and survived Vietnam. He endured many health issues including a severe stroke early in his life. Unfortunately, his most recent illness was too much for him to overcome. I know he endured much pain and suffering from it and he fought hard until the end, hanging on until he got to see his son for the last time. Rest in peace Ben. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

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Lori Moyer posted a condolence

The only man I know who could crack himself up! I love and miss you, my friend, my brother.

J

Jim Remick posted a condolence

Debbie: I was so sorry to read about Ben passing away. Although I did not know him personally , I feel like I did from the way you talked about him at work. Know that you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Jim Remick

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Eugene Johnson posted a condolence

I want to extend my condolences to the friends and family of Ben Defibaugh. He was my only playmate when we lived in the house across from the Defibaugh farm in the 1950s. My memories of the years we spent in my grandmother's house are full of memories about playing with Benny. When I go past my grandmother's house today, I see a rock in the field next to it that used to be a base marker for our two (sometimes three if Betty joined us) person baseball games. How we did that I can't really remember, but I do remember the "automatic man." You needed those if you had a base hit and you still had turns at bat. I don't remember if any of the "automatic men" ever scored though... My memories of the Defibaugh house are of the smell of freshly baked bread, watching the girls churn butter, and Ben's mother telling Benny and I that if we didn't behave the devil would come out of a hole in the ground and get us! We found a hole in the pasture and figured that's where the devil lived. We stayed away from it. We weren't certain if that was the devil's hole, but why take a chance...? In the summer we would catch crawdads in the creek. In the winter we rode sleds in the pasture behind the house, being certain to bail off our sleds before we hit the lower barbed wire fence. And Tippy, that red-colored dog, playing in the haymow, picking currants on the bushes in the back of the house, all of us waiting for the old Number 7 school bus in the garage in the winter, with one of us peering out the door looking for the bus. I remember when that garage was built and it still stands. And Hank, the athsmatic old Model-T converted to a tractor pulling the haywagon and the older kids pitching hay on to it. Ben was my childhood friend and I cherish the memories and the innocence of the times we had together.

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Joe & Cathy Orlandi posted a condolence

Deb & John: Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel with Bens passing. May your memories give you strength and may you and John take comfort in knowing the angels are now watching over Ben. God Bless.

Benjamin R. Defibaugh

1948 - 2011