Benjamin Francis Roark

Benjamin Francis Roark

January 21, 1947 - December 4, 2013

Mr Benjamin F. Roark of Augusta, GA Passed away December 4, 2013 in his home. He was born in Dover, NH. On January 21, 1947. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Vivian Roark, and niece Seana Barnes. He is survived by his daughter, Vivian (Nick)Lunzman, granddaughter Erin Logston, Seaside, Oregon. Sisters; Elizabeth (Jerry), Barnes N. Augusta, SC and Sylvia Raetz, Naples, Florida 2 nephews and 3 nieces

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, December 9, 2013 at St Luke United Methodist Church, 308 Crawford Ave, Augusta, Georgia. Family will receive friends in the church meeting room following the service.

He served two tours of duty with the Army Signal Corp in Viet Nam as a mechanic. He had three art galleries. The Yankee Carver One in San Diego, CA one in Kennebunkport , ME, and Uncle Ben’s Studio/Gallery in Augusta Ga. He was kind hearted and generous. If you had a need, and he could help you. He’d give you anything you needed that was in his possession. He was a very rich happy man. Not monetarily but in the things that mattered. Including a wonderful Joy for life that he spread where ever he went. He shared smiles and laughs everywhere.

.He would notice every little detail around him. The bald eagle on tops of the Lamar building, the snakes, birds and wild life on the river. The hawks, signs, cars, you name it. He didn't miss a thing..

He was an artist, and extraordinary Wood Carver/Sculptor, He could give a log new life as a bear, eagle, you name it. His paintings of animals were amazing the detail of the fur, twinkling eyes. He would explain the musculature of them to anyone interested He would also point out: how the fur all grew toward the tail. He was a carpenter, electrician, plumber. He knew the specks and built them right! He said he was bad at math, however, he could measure a space and create the most amazing dresser, table, chair (whatever he needed) home or studio. He did this keeping all the measurements and dimensions in his head.. He was a hunter. He knew the upstate Maine woods, lakes and streams. He was a lumberjack, well driller, lobster-man, fisher man, truck driver. He'd watch the Perfect Storm or Dangerous Catch and comment on that was just a day on the boat. He talked of being in a boat with 45 foot wave towering above him. He was an auto mechanic, boat builder. He built amazing canoes. He was a sailor. He and his buddies won awards for their sailing skills. He converted an old school bus into a travel trailer and traveled the east coast of the USA in it. He was a farmer, handyman, and landscaper. His many pets included, turkeys, pot belly pigs (Reba was his favorite) dogs, and now cats. He was such a gentle soul he could calm an animal and help heal it. him). He could talk himself out of any mess. The world will miss this amazing man.