John Benjamin Gundy

Waterbury, Vt. — “Call me Ben,” read the sign above his head as he moved from life among us on Thursday, March 10, 2016, into the embrace of the Holy Spirit. Ben was a faithful believer and loyal member of the First Congregational Church of Westbrook, Conn., where he lived and worked among the people of the Connecticut shoreline. Educated by loving teachers in Norwich, Vt., Danbury and Westport Conn., and the Foundation School in Orange, Conn., Ben graduated from Staples High School in 1989.

Ben was a loving and gentle person with a warm and hearty greeting for everyone. A deep thinker, not shy about plumbing life’s mysteries, Ben was interested in the explorations of other galaxies in the universe. Ben loved the Star Wars and Star Trek films and series. Ben loved to laugh, and especially appreciated comedians Eddie Murphy, John Belushi, and Chris Farley. He enjoyed the music of The Beatles, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin. He was also a passionate Mets fan and enjoyed going to games with his family.

A creative artist, Ben was a painter and musician, with a talent for blues guitar. A Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, he was the perfect model for other students in his dojang.

Ben was a devoted worker and employee of Lobster Landing, Hidden Kitchen, Goal! and Mailboxes, etc. Ben was a member of the VISTA community in Westbrook, Conn. for many years, and he became a part of the Sea Coast Apartment Program in Clinton. Since February, 2015, Ben lived close to his family in Vermont, residing at the Kirby House in Waterbury. From Kirby House, he leaves dear friends Tess, Kim, Nikki, Simone and many others.

Ben was predeceased by his grandparents John & Evelyn Gundy, and Chauncey, Sr. and Kathryn Howell; his Aunt Jane Gundy, his buddy Cleveland White; and his father, John H. Gundy.

Ben is survived by his mother Sally; brother Charles and sister-in-law Haidje Rustau; nephews Charlie and Johannes; sister Jennifer and partner Paul Brierre; sister Joanna; and many loving uncles, aunts, and cousins. He leaves special friends Fred Erickson, Chris Dragan, and Forrest Aldrich.

Ben’s family is grateful to the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the University of Vermont Medical Center for their expert, empathic care.

There will be a service in Ben’s memory later in the spring. Donations can be made in honor of Ben to the 22q Deletion Syndrome Fund for Excellence at the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation. If interested, please call 416-603-6278 or visit www.tgwhf.ca.

The Hale Funeral Home and Cremation Care of Bradford, Vt. is in charge of arrangements

To view an online guestbook go to www.halefuneralhomes.com.