NICHOLAS DEXTER BENJAMIN

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NICHOLAS DEXTER BENJAMIN Peacefully, on August 20, 2007 with his loving wife by his side, Nick was called home to take his place in our Father's kingdom in Heaven. Christopher Reeve once said that a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Nick lived his life in exactly this manner. For nearly a decade, he was a hero to thousands of supportive fans as an offensive lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Ottawa Roughriders. He gave everything he had at all times and always put maximum effort into every game he played and everything he did. Even though his career kept him busy, he still managed to find time to do numerous fundraisers, guest appearances and volunteer work. Children's charities were always a priority for Nick and he enjoyed motivating and inspiring youth to strive towards their aspirations in life. He firmly believed that failure was never an option, and he always fought for what he believed in. Even when health issues presented obstacles, Nick refused to give up. He fought bravely right until the end. Nick's larger than life persona was revered by thousands of people across the nation for many years. However, this admiration cannot possibly compare to the view we had of the man we knew and loved as our husband, father, brother, son, uncle, brother-in-law and friend. Left to cherish his precious memory are his wife Debbie, his children, Brooklynn, Ryan, Jason and Nichole, stepchildren, Robyn (Richard), Landon and Donovan, and Benjamin family of Ontario, including his father and five sisters. Nick shared a special bond with his sister Donna and her children, Jodelle, Eden, Grace and Joel and will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by them, as well as numerous extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his mother Theresa Benjamin in 2001. The family would like to extend special gratitude to the staff at St. Boniface General Hospital, especially within the Palliative, Medical Intensive Care, and Dialysis Units. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. G. Welch for his compassion, caring and friendship during Nick's illness. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Glen Eden Memorial Gardens at 4477 Main St. A celebration of Nick's life will be held on Monday, August 27, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nick's memory to the Kidney Foundation of Manitoba, 730 Taylor Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3M 2K8. Don't think of him as gone away his journey's just begun life holds so many facets this earth is only one. Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years. Think how he must be wishing that we would know today how nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 25, 2007