Joshua Jerome Bentley

Joshua Bentley, a creative, loving soul, and incredible artist passed away Saturday January 25, 2014.

Josh was born in Winnipeg on March 8, 1995 and left to celebrate his life are mum, Sharon; brother, Derrek; dad, Larry; and countless family and friends.

Donations gratefully accepted at the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard 782 Main St, Winnipeg, MB R2W 3N4 for the Josh Bentley fund to build a music studio.

Longer obituary to follow.

(Longer Obituary not published in Winnipeg Free Press )

Joshua Bentley, a creative, loving soul, and incredible artist passed away Saturday January 25, 2014. Josh was born in Winnipeg on March 8, 1995 and left to celebrate his life are mum, Sharon; brother, Derrek; dad, Larry and Tina; close relatives Kay and Doug; family friend Auntie Mary; special friend and cousin Mike; and a community of family and friends.

Josh carved out a path in life that was unique and inspirational. It would have been a great gift to seem him live life to a ripe old age; to further witness his ability to question things, colour outside the lines, and live life on life’s terms. Yet, as life would have it - God had another plan. A God, that Josh came to know over the recent years as he grew in the communities of Grant Memorial Baptist Church and the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

From boyhood, he was a lover of the outdoors and being active. Karate, football, jazz, hiphop, bmx-ing, ballet, skateboarding, and so much more - enthusiasm for all things he loved poured out of him. Josh was a sensitive boy and felt things acutely through his young life. This translated into so many wonderful and complicated things for Josh - one of the most remarkable being his relationship with music and dance, ballet.

He struck the hearts and baffled the minds of those around him as he pursued a position with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional Division. Later, as Josh finished high school at St. Norbert Collegiate and was working at West 49 and Pure Perfection Salon, this passion turned to music as lead singer (screamer), for Empty Hands. His family and friends, were moved by seeing Josh’s tenacity to always try something so unconventional and unexpected - experience something that was very much… Josh. A maverick, a soul following the magic that exists in so few who dare, who dare to try.

Josh’s life was not without disappointments, sadness or loss. At 18, what this young man accomplished was profound and one of the many gifts he leaves for those of us behind is to do just this - to dare to dream; dare to try. At 18, he had but just begun, and the gifts he leaves transcend death.

Josh, dance with the angels. Show them some new moves. Cut your angel wings into some rad design and know that you are loved and missed. We will honour and remember you, as fiercely as you lived. Your light lives in our hearts and we will be watching for you in the small beauty and wonders of each day. We know that your spirit is with us and for you, we pray, watch over us, you beautiful young man. There never was nor will there ever be anyone like, our Josh.

In memory of Josh, donations will be gratefully accepted by the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard 782 Main St, Winnipeg, MB R2W 3N4 for the Josh Bentley fund to help build a music recording studio.

For all friends and family who would like to celebrate Josh's life, a memorial service will be held at Grant Memorial Church (877 Wilkes avenue) on Tuesday February 4, 2014 at 2pm.

The family asks those attending to please (if they would like) bring a photo of Josh or of an owl with a personal message written on it to include in a large collage that the family would like to keep.