Benoît Andre Maria Coussement

He was born in Kortrijk, Belgium, on October 31, 1996, to Marie-Claude Briaval and Geert Coussement. Benoît carried his roots with him wherever he went, but his heart led him across the world to the United States, where he started his future centered around purpose and family. He built a life with his wife Rebecca and in doing so became not only a husband, but a constant presence for his stepdaughter, Elise. He was the kind of man who didn’t just say he’d be there; if you needed him, he showed up, if he gave his word, it meant something.

Benoît believed in effort. In discipline. In doing things the right way, even when it wasn’t the easy way. Whether he was in his home gym, pushing himself physically or pushing someone else to be better, he didn’t believe in halfway. He expected more, of himself first and of the people around him. Not gently, not always softly, but honestly. Benoît was unapologetically himself, unfiltered and direct that came from a place that was real. He saw potential in others, sometimes before they saw it in themselves and he expected them to rise to it.

That same mindset carried into his work. Starting with the Red Cross, he taught CPR and First Aid, eventually training others to do the same, multiplying his impact in ways that will continue far beyond him. As a personal trainer, he helped people build strength they didn’t think they had. Eventually, he chose to follow in his wife’s footsteps and became a firefighter at North Kansas City, dedicating himself to service under badge number 226. He was close to finishing medic school, continuing that same pattern always moving forward, always building toward something more.

Benoît had a remarkable mind for language and connection. He spoke English, Dutch, Flemish, French, some German, Spanish and was even learning Portuguese, never satisfied with standing still, always reaching for more.

He is survived by his wife Rebecca, stepdaughter Elise, parents Marie-Claude Briaval and Geert Coussement, brother Maxime Coussement, parents-in-law Kevin and Laura Blair.

A tribute to the life and service of Benoît will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026. Visitation for family, friends and first responders will take place at Vineyard Church, 12300 Arrowhead Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64165 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A Celebration of Life with active-duty firefighter honors will follow at 1:00 pm. At 2:00 pm, a special procession will depart for his final salute at the North Kansas City Fire Department 1815 Howell St, North Kansas City, MO 64116, as he returns to his station one last time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Yard Foundation's Mayday Campaign to support his loved ones at https://www.theyardfoundation.org/mayday/coussement

To know Benoît was to know someone who was constant. Someone who showed up. Someone who stood firm. Someone who loved deeply, even if he didn’t always say it in soft ways. Our hero leaves behind a space that cannot be filled, but also a standard that will not be forgotten.

White Chapel Funeral Home is profoundly honored to provide care for Benoît’s family and the dedicated first responder community.