Benjamin Neale Cram

OUR GENTLE GIANT

With broken hearts we announce the passing of our Ben on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, too soon at the age of 38. Ben was born April 3, 1986 in Thunder Bay Ontario to parents Bruce and Carolyn – their first child, a bright eyed, glow worm baby. Ben became a big brother in 1989 to sister Emily, shortly after moving to rural Alberta, growing up on Symon’s Valley Greenhouses Farm. Surrounded by potbelly pigs, sheep, pygmy goats and towering cucumber and tomato plants. Springtime brought droves of neighbors to acre-wide easter egg hunts, farmers markets selling farm grown flowers and produce. Summers were spent in Muskoka at Nook and Grandpa Doug’s cottage. As one of 14 Cram cousins, time was spent rowing, swimming, sailing, driving boston whalers, golfing, playing tennis and eating ice cream.

Ben was a member of the Boy Scouts organization for 9 years and achieved the Chief Scout award. With his Dad always nearby as scout leader, soccer coach and fellow martial artist. Ben earned his first-degree black belt from Horizon Taekwon Do.

The family moved into the city of Airdrie in Ben’s teenage years where he attended Bert Church High School. He was a lively member of their games club and often laughed that he'd turn friendly fire onto his classmates. He liked to banter about politics and challenge those around him about current events. Ben was an avid computer gamer, enjoying the solitude of his computer room often covered in cats and was content in his own company. He enjoyed manga, Japanese animation – even creating his own animated character Riptor the wolf.

Ben was a beloved member of the Airdrie Wendy’s Restaurant family for nearly 20 years. He was the strong arms and dependable face that left an indelible presence in the community.

Ben travelled to Mexico at least a dozen times, cruised to Alaska and the Caribbean, adventured to Greece and China – finding interesting weaponry to collect along the way.  

Ben was a gentle giant who was fiercely protective of his people – choosing those close to him with intention. Ben was generous, playful and coy with his enthusiasm. He had a back handed charm that was unforgettable. Ben took his job as big brother to Emily seriously, and later in life extended the same dutiful attention when he became an Uncle in 2016. Uncle Ben's enigmatic presence to them is irreplaceable. The biggest role Ben fulfilled was devoted son to Bruce and Carolyn – he never left their side, because there was no place else, he would ever rather be.

Ben was survived by father, Bruce; mother, Carolyn; sister, Emily; brother-in-law, Steve; nieces Violet and Nora; and nephew, Simon. Along with an adoring clan of Aunts, Uncles and cousins. He will be met in heaven by his Grandma Ida, Nanook, Grandpa Doug, Uncle Brian and Cousin Cass and scores of felines, namely Ody, Minnie, Hanna and Gus.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude for those who cared for Ben during his unexpected, intense and unrelenting illness. PLC Unit 29, PLC ICU and FMC ICU teams fought hard for our Ben. He received copious amounts of blood products. In his memory we ask you to consider donating blood to Canadian Blood Services. www.blood.ca.