Support Ben's Family After This Tragic Loss

My dear friend, Matthew Faircloth, asked me to create this for the family of his best friend Ben Brown, who died yesterday on November 14th, after he was hit by a car in Berkeley while he was walking home to make dinner. Money we raise here will help Ben's family pay for funeral expenses and to help them fly here from Georgia to help organize and attend his memorial.

We will share more information here when we know more about his memorial in the coming months.

Ben was as joyous and good humored as he was tall. He lived in Berkeley for many decades. You may remember him from MuliBen Bakery, which he started with his partner on Shattuck near Delaware back in the 80s.

He may have cooked you something delicious at the Red Cafe in the 90s. Or maybe, eyes twinkling, he helped you at the Berkeley Horticultural Nursery where he worked for many years.

Ben loved people. He said hi to everyone he walked by. He loved to walk. He loved tennis. And he was devoted to his family and friends.

Also, a friend reminded us of this 2018 article that included a brief profile of Ben in Berkeleyside: https://www.berkeleyside.org/2018/01/18/berkeley-low-income-seniors-get-fresh-start-harper-crossing

My children and partner and I know Ben because he was always, always showing up to support and enjoy our friends, the Faircloth kids. Cheering them on at soccer, flag football and volleyball games, taking in their art at school open houses, hanging out shooting hoops on a Saturday--you name it, Ben was game.

He was always on the sidelines with his coffee, hanging out with a plate of tacos on the grass in the park, appreciating the kids and all their antics. Ben lavished love and humor and support on any kid in his path and us parents too. His rich, deep voice and laugh would wrap around us all.

Please help us ease the burden on his family so that they can focus their energy on supporting and loving each other during this time. Ben was always showing up to do what he could to help all of us, so let's do the same for him.

We love you so much Ben. We're heartbroken.

We have created a memorial site for Ben at all 4 corners of the intersection at Rose and Josephine where he was trying to cross the street on Thursday night. We shared photos from Ben's life on the signposts, letters to Ben from grownups and kids, and other momentos in our remembering and grieving him. You are invited to visit and add your own photo, letter, momento...whatever you feel moved to share.

Ben, we are doing our best to remember and celebrate your beautiful life.

We wish we could hug you and laugh with you.

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The GoFundMe Trust and Safety Team asked that I include this information for clarity: I am Stephanie Mackley, a friend of Ben Brown and his best friend Matthew Faircloth. I am fundraising Ben's family, specifically his niece Angela Perkins, who is the representative of his family in Georgia. I will transfer all of these funds to her.