I lost contact with Ben as our earlier careers in electronics diverged and have just happened to come across this web site. Ben and I met at Kingsbury training college and Harrow tech aged sixteen and became good friends. When he got his first car (a damson coloured mini) he went out of his way to drive me home when the weather was bad so I didn’t have to get the bus. When he got his pilot’s licence he took me and another friend (Graham) on a couple of flights. One was to Southend and coming back we could see London and the Thames. He was a good friend for several years and I remember him as very kind. I am really glad he found love and a loving family and I send my condolences to them

Sending all our love to Lorraine , James and Emma at this sad time.
Ben truely had the kindest of hearts , he was gentle, generous  and caring and i will always remember  my times spent with him and Lorraine in Canada with so much happiness. 
He will be missed by so many.
All our love and best wishes
Sam , Neil , Mya & Max

I don’t have words to express the sadness in knowing Ben’s passing.

Ben will always be remembered as a beacon guiding me over difficult MRI challenges. He was always available even at different parts of the country over different time zones. 

It’s for his humour which made any difficult situation into a positive enlightening solution. 

We had often shared our hobbies and life experiences. I was fortunate to get to know Ben as a colleague but most of all, a dear friend.
Ben will always be remembered. I have already named one of my pond fish as ,”Knapper”…

My sincere condolences and sympathy for the family.

I met Benjamin many years ago when we were paired at a Ballroom/Latin American dance class. We went to classes together and separately took private lessons. He passed exams and got medals; he was a good ballroom dancer and excellent Latin American dancer. During this time we became firm friends and stayed in touch when I emigrated to Spain and then  California. He later emigrated to Canada and we visited each other. He very kindly hosted me and my niece when she was about 10 and took us on the ferry to Vancouver Island where we toured around. She still remembers the trip and Benjamin’s fishes.

Then Benjamin met the love of his life and I attended their wedding. Later I had a layover and Lorraine came to the airport with James and Emma for lunch.

Benjamin was the most gentle man I have ever met; always willing to help, kind and considerate. Once when he was flying us to France, at Southend he had to file a flight plan but left something on the plane. I went to get it and somehow broke the key in the door lock. I apologized profusely but Benjamin remained calm, dealt with the situation and didn’t get angry or upset with me. He never mentioned the incident again though I still feel badly about it.

My dear friend Benjamin you will be greatly missed by your many friends and colleagues and, of course, your family especially Lorraine, James and Emma.  RIP 💙

Sad to hear of the passing of our cousin Ben.
We have such fond memories of Ben and Francis coming to Ireland with their parents for holidays when we were young. Although we haven’t seen Ben for quite a while, he created a lovely Christmas tradition for us with his annual letter — keeping us up to date on the family, his travels, and his pets. Christmas won’t be the same without it.
Sincere condolences to Lorraine, James, Emma, Francis, and all the family.
Rest in peace, Ben.
Betty and the o donnells  formerly 57 caseyville.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t know Ben as well as I should have but what I do know is this, he was a good man.
He was good to my sister, always supporting her, always ready to provide for her and always loving her.
He was a good father to my niece and nephew, again always ready to help them in whatever they chose to do.
And, from what I’ve seen on this obituary page, he was a good friend and colleague.
You will be missed by all those who knew and loved you Ben,

Rest in Peace.

Rest in peace Ben xxx  we shared a love of travel, cruising and aeroplanes. We remember following you guys around the Caribbean on our ships. You were a day ahead of us so we happily picked up all your tips and Facebook postings to plan our day out when we arrived in port the following day ! Then posted up some almost identical pictures 😊
Karen is really happy she got to meet Ben in person this year in the UK. 
We hope you have a wonderful memorial sharing stories and thinking of Ben xxx
Duncan & Karen White

I still remember the ‘phone call from Lorraine all those years ago. “I’ve met a lovely man, I’m so happy”.  Of course we had to meet this man and, he was indeed lovely! That was the start of our 30 year friendship with Ben. We remember lots of happy dinners together. Then the big move to their house in Pit Meadows. Lorraine and the babies stayed with us the night before and Ben stayed with his fish! Moving newborn twins was so much easier than Ben’s beloved tropical fish!! He was our ‘go to’ bloke when we first purchased our computer. Even when we moved to the island Ben & Lorraine came to visit. Having dinner with our daughter’s boyfriend, who they’d never met before, they kindly invited him to stay for a month at their house so he could finish his degree at the local College. The boyfriend told us how kind Ben was and how they ‘bonded’ with their love of tropical fish!! Ben even went to our neighbours house to help them with their computer nearly missing the ferry. Such a kind man. We’re so pleased we managed to meet them for lunch in April on their last leg of their cruise. We could tell Ben wasn’t well but he didn’t complain once and we had a lovely time. We’ll miss him a lot, but have so many happy memories of our times together. Sending our love to Lorraine, James and Emma. 

Brendan, Jane, Kate and Tessa Atherton

My husband Plato considered Ben a great friend and colleague and was proud to have been  best-man at Ben and Lorraine's wedding 30 years ago. 
May they now rest in peace together

Thank you Ben for your support throughout , your legacy and level of genorisity and patience goes above and beyond the heavens and May you rest in the heavens above with the Mighty Lord Jesus Christ.

The earliest memories of my big brother Ben is travelling over to Ireland to visit our mother's family. The best bit was going by train and ferry, excitingly by steam train on both sides of the Irish sea. Walking up and down the carriage corridors, putting our heads out of the window into clouds of smokey steam was a great adventure. This resulted in a mutual love of trains, especially steam trains ever since.
Ben subsequently persuaded our parents to buy him an electric train set, one that needed to be fixed on a hardboard table. Over time (birthdays and Christmases) he built an impressive miniature railway with tunnels, stations, level crossing, etc., landscaped with miniature trees and bushes, he later built an even more impressive one in Canada. 
During this time he started to collect a variety of pets, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and others. So many that our dad had to help look after them. Later when a teenager he got interested in horses and worked at a local stable getting paid in riding lessons. Spending weekends and school holidays working at the stables and riding as much as he could. After a couple of years he had become proficient enough to teach others.
Overall Ben was interested in electrical and electronic equipment, often mending minor electrical faults around the house. He set up outside lights in the garden and at secondary school worked on the lighting for the annual school plays. Quite remarkably for a fourteen year old. So you can probably guess from Ben's early life he was a hands-on guy and it was no surprise that he applied for an electrical engineering apprenticeship with GEC. He passed his ‘O’ levels and began the apprenticeship travelling back and forth by moped. Later buying his first car, a mini, after passing his driving test at 17. His spare time interest became flying and he started taking flying lessons. This was not a cheap hobby but he was determined and became both a qualified engineer and pilot.

I was a friend of Lorraine before she met Ben. I got to meet and know the kind, thoughtful, generous and humorous man that Ben was through their relationship. For me seeing how happy he made my friend was fantastic. Their wedding at which I had the pleasure of being one of the bridesmaids was a wonderful day when you could see their love for one another shining brightly as it has continued over the years. Sadly living in Australia for many years now I have only seen them rarely but kept in touch through letters and social media. I would like to send my love to Lorraine, James and Emma.

The world has lost an incredible man. Heaven has gained an special angel. I have very fond memories of the first time I had to drive here in Canada, Ben and myself  had just dropped the kids off at St. Pats. On our way back home I may have wandered on to the shoulder of the road and Ben is a slightly alarmed voice said "that not the road" its the shoulder...oh Ben. He was also so happy that he had a new coffee buddy and once he learned that I liked my coffee sweet he always made sure we had plenty of sugar in the house. When I arrived to this new country Canada not once did Ben nor Lorraine ever treat me as the nanny I was instantly part of the family. Over the years Ben and Lorraine have helped myself my family and even family friends with out question or hesitation.   Ben you were incredibly special and you will not be forgotten and always a huge part of many lives. Fly High Ben !!

This photo was taken during my daughter’s Confirmation, where Ben wholeheartedly offered to be her Sponsor — a reflection of his kindness, faith, and the fatherly love he extended to us.

For the past five years, our family was blessed to live with Ben and Lorraine, who treated us not just as friends but as family. Ben was always there to help — from the simplest daily things to the hardest days of our lives — never asking for anything in return. His warmth, humor, and quiet generosity will forever be remembered.

Heaven has truly gained one of the kindest souls. Thank you, Ben, for everything you’ve done for us. You will always be part of our family and in our hearts. 🤍

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

Attached a picture from 8 years ago when I just joined Philips. The first BC team potluck I joined was at Ben's house in Pitt Meadows. The first installation I attended was SFU MR with Ben. His dedication to work and knowledge of MR inspired me for my career with Philips healthcare. RIP

I want to pass on my heartfelt condolences to Ben’s family and friends. I have worked with Ben on a few occasions in recent years. I enjoyed my conversations with Ben about his life experiences and his vast knowledge of travel and vacation. His demeanour was always so enjoyable and his pleasant view on life was contagious.

Ben was a very respected colleague and will be greatly missed. 
Sincere condolences to the family.

I was deeply saddened to learn of Ben’s passing. We worked together for several years on MRI systems at UBC, SFU, Prenuvo and VIH. Ben was exceptionally knowledgeable, dedicated, and always willing to share his expertise. I had great respect for him, both professionally and personally. He approached every project with kindness, patience, and genuine collaboration.

I will always remember the times we worked side by side, supporting each other through challenges and celebrating our successes. His contributions and warm spirit will be truly missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

With deep respect, honour, and fond remembrance, I celebrate the life of a remarkable engineer, world traveler, and cherished family man whose 52-year journey with Philips began in Wembley, England — a journey that spanned continents and touched countless lives.

Ben began his career as an apprentice at GEC Medical Equipment Ltd in 1973, quickly distinguishing himself through his passion for electronics and innovation. His early years were marked by technical mastery and hands-on experience with X-ray systems, leading him to a Field Service Engineer role that sparked a lifelong love of travel and cross-cultural collaboration.

His expertise took him around the world with Philips — from The Gambia to Libya — before he transitioned into technical support, where he mentored others and shaped future generations through teaching and technical writing.

In 1989, amid major changes in the medical equipment industry, Ben relocated to Vancouver, Canada, where he continued his impactful work. His career flourished there, contributing to MRI, nuclear medicine, and advanced medical informatics across an expanding global network.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ben led a life full of curiosity and joy. He was a licensed pilot who loved flying across Europe and North America, a devoted aquarist, and an enthusiastic dreamer of model railways. Above all, Ben found his greatest happiness in family — with his beloved wife Lorraine, a dedicated nurse, and their twins, James and Emma, whose lives carry his legacy forward. Ben and Lorraine shared a deep love for travel and exploration.

A true gentleman of skill, warmth, and generosity, Ben leaves behind a rich legacy of technical excellence, mentorship, and friendship. His spirit of adventure and dedication will live on in the hearts of his colleagues, friends, and family around the world.

Ben wasn’t just a colleague—he was my mentor, my friend, and felt like family. For a decade we got through long days together and shared so many rides to work. Those commutes turned into life talks. He showed me what being professional is like: care for the customer, pride in the details, and loyalty to your team. He was always professional and always dedicated—he led by example.

Everything I know about field service came from his patient teaching. He pushed me to be brave, to learn by doing, to make mistakes, learn from them, and keep going. And yes—he could seem a little grumpy if you didn’t know him. But underneath was a gentle, generous man with a quiet sense of humor.

I loved his stories about traveling the world—how his face lit up when he talked about the people he met and the cultures he experienced. Our conversations often circled back to his family, his many pets, and the hobbies he enjoyed—especially traveling and flying. He spoke about them with real warmth and pride.

I’ll miss his stories, his steadiness, and his kindness. I think I will catch myself still wanting to call/text him for a quick coffee or breakfast—to ask a question, get advice, or just hear about his latest adventures.

Thank you, Ben, for your wisdom, your kindness, and your friendship. You changed my life and the way I work. I’ll miss you dearly and carry your lessons with me, always.

My buddy Ben, will miss the conversations and the back and forth sarcasm. Teasing Lorraine about her shopping habits...You were a great friend and going to miss the chats, dinner, and you trying to convince me that cats aka Milo is a sweet cat.... 
Godspeed my friend

Uncle Ben was full of stories . Every year without fail he would do his Christmas letter , which always allowed us to hear everything that was happening to uncle Ben , Auntie Lorraine,  Emma and James . It was part of a tradition  at Christmas, sitting down and listening to mum talk about the holidays and adventures they were having . A tradition which will live on in his memory forever. Although an ocean kept us apart , Uncle Ben will always be the Uncle I loved and wish to hear him talk about his endless travels with Auntie Lorraine one last time . I know he will be looking down on the three of them and watching them have adventures together and making sure they are together forever. 
Uncle Ben forever and always , lots of love Hannah

OBITUARY

Benjamin Patrick Knappett

12 March, 1957 – 13 October, 2025

Burkeview Memorial Services

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