Growing up around Post 39 baseball, it's rare to have a memory that does not include him singing the National Anthem. I can remember as I became older and started announcing the games for my grandfather, him walking up into the press box and asking how I was doing. He would also take that time to speak with my grandfather (Bob Damian), catching up as old friends do. Mr. Machinist was also so kind and listening to him sing whether it was at church or on the baseball field, could bring chills up and down my arms. When my grandmother passed away, he sang the most beautiful rendition of Ave Maria at her wake. There are no words that can express how much my family appreciated him taking his time to be there for us and to sing her favorite song.  He was selfless and will be greatly missed. 

I first met Ben as manager of Post 39 baseball team.  His renditions of our national anthem were legendary.  All of our players and fans would comment on Ben aka "The Voice of Post 39".  As great of a singer as he was , he was an even better person.  


 For greater than 20 years Ben and his wife Barbara, whom he affectionally referred to as his better half, generously gave their time and talent to support our community’s Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic that provides free medical care to the uninsured and underinsured in our community. In 2002, Ben helped us write the clinic’s very first grant proposal to help residents in our community who suffer from diabetes receive free medical care. Shortly after the grant proposal was submitted, a rain storm travelled through our little town of Norge, and when the rain had ended a beautiful rainbow emerged. When Barbara learned about the rainbow which our Clinic Director described as if one of its ends appeared to lead to where Angels of Mercy is in Norge, Barbara said that it was a sign that the grant application would be approved, and it was! Throughout the years, Ben and Barbara have supported our nonprofit in ways too numerous to count. There have been several instances where their indefatigable efforts resulted in helping our clinic get through difficult financial challenges as well as helping us to achieve many noteworthy miles stones and achievements. Because of both the love and affection Ben has always had for Sister Benenice who inspired the work of Angels of Mercy more than two decades ago, in 2012 Ben performed a pivotal role in establishing the Sister Berenice Endowment Fund to benefit the Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic. Ben Machinist lived a life that was full, made everyone he ever met feel important, and with the love of his life-his other, Ben will say his “better” half, the two have left a positive mark on this world that will last many more years to come with patients receiving the free medical care they desperately need at the Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic. Thank you from all of us at Angels of Mercy. Our love & affection for both Ben and Barbara will never cease. Jeff and Jeanne Black  

Benjamin Machinist was one of our dearest friends! Ray and I went out for breakfast almost every Sunday with Ben and Barbara.  It was always a pleasure and fun being with them. Ben showed so much kindness and treated everyone with  dignity and compassion. When Ben greeted you it was as if you were the most important person at that moment. He made you feel so special! Ray and Ben had many breakfast conversations about cars and the events of the day. His passing will leave a deep void for Ray. His enthusiasm for life was apparent in all the activities he was involved with, especially Angel's of Mercy and the theater club. Singing was his passion! The volume and tone of his voice resonated throughout wherever he would be singing. Above all, Ben's faith was his strongest virtue!  Our hearts are broken in losing Ben! We are so blessed to have had Ben Machinist as a part of our life!

I met Ben at the CARES program in Williamsburg.  We like to recognize birthdays. When Ben was there for someone's special day, he always had a  happy birthday song to sing.  What a  voice.!!   What a special man.  


I was fortunate to have worked with Ben at Nissan's headquarters in Los Angeles.  He excelled at representing Nissan to the community and supporting our Nissan and Infiniti dealers.  It was great that Ben and Barbara retired to Williamsburg .... he had so much to offer our community.  Ben will be missed!

Not all families are lucky enough to have someone like Ben in their family.  We may not be family by blood, but we are in our hearts.   Ben will be missed here on earth, but he will forever be in our hearts.  May he sing with the choirs of Angels forever.  

I will deeply miss Grandpa Ben. I have always admired how much him and Grandma have given selflessly to their church, friends, and community throughout their lives. I am deeply inspired by Grandpa's contributions to Angels of Mercy, Busch Gardens, and countless other efforts. Retirement is a time to relax, but Grandpa always used his time to help others. I will always be humbled by Grandpa's charity as a retiree, and grateful that his contributions to his church have helped the poor with soup kitchens and other St. Olaf charity efforts.

I admire Grandpa's ability to make meaningful friendships. I attended St. Olaf's church service with my grandparents and everyone always wanted to talk to the charismatic Ben Machinist after church. Grandpa's friendly nature was always able to lift people's spirits and he deeply supported his friends in their time of need.

Grandpa was a man of God, and a great father, husband, and grandfather. I will deeply miss him and will always think of him as a role model for living a meaningful life, with compassion and service to others.

Fond memories of Uncle Ben fill my heart with joy and make me smile! Recalling stories my mom shared about when he and Aunt Barbara were dating, I had a good chuckle about homemade brownies she served that could have ‘bricked’ the sidewalk, yet how appreciative he was of her efforts. And, how his ‘sweet tooth’ endured! 
It was always with excitement that I looked forward to spending time with Uncle Ben and Aunt Barbara because he was funny, made adventures fun, often followed by ice cream or sweet treats. Nix the occasional peaches, pears or pineapple dessert for him!
As a teen and young adult, Uncle Ben took time to listen to my adventures and career aspirations, encouraging me to study hard, follow my dreams. Throughout adulthood, I’d so enjoy chatting with him about business challenges, his world travels and Holy Cross College sports. Recently, he’d asked me to send an article about Bob Cousy, legendary alum and Celtics star. He was impressed by ‘the Cous’ devotion to his wife Missy during her lengthy illness and wanted to share this caring example.
Uncle Ben’s a role model who made an unforgettable impact on all of us who were blessed by his life- his exemplary marriage, love for Aunt Barbara, family, friends- Faith- integrity- business acumen- kindness- and yes, his contagious laugh and smile! My husband Ken and I are privileged to have shared in his love!



My gramps. Words can’t express how much of an impact this man had on so many people. It’s my honor to be able to call him my grandfather. The thing I loved most about my gramps was his ability to walk into any room and be able to connect with any individual. He never judged. He never looked down on anyone. He always put a smile on everyone’s face no matter what the circumstance may had been.  He was truly a man of faith and grace and love and will forever be in my heart. 

Ben loved and accepted everyone.   In the 31 years I've known him I've never seen him upset at anyone.   He loved unconditionally.   Ben gave me the two most precious gifts in life.   He gave me the gift of my beautiful wife Kathryn and the gift of a father that I never had before.   He was more of a father than any other person in my life.   He taught me how to love and the importance of family.   He will be missed so dearly.   There is a part of my heart missing this day that I fear will never be filled again.   I love you Ben and "I got this...".  

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Benjamin Anthony Machinist

13 octobre 1931 – 5 avril 2019

Nelsen Williamsburg

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