Benjamin Pearson

Falmouth - Benjamin Pearson IX passed away peacefully at Foreside Harbor, Falmouth, ME on February 9, 2015 at 88 years of age. Born in Boston, he was the son of Benjamin Pearson VIII and Ruth Farrington. Raised in Newburyport and Byfield, MA, he was a graduate of Governor Dummer Academy and Colby College. He was a naval veteran of WWII, having served on the destroyer Arnold J. Isbell DD869.

Ben was president and final proprietor of the Byfield Snuff Co, the oldest and perhaps the last water powered snuff mill in the country and was the 10th generation of Pearson’s to operate mills on the Parker and other rivers in Essex County.

Mr. Pearson was a former Lt. on the Protection I fire department in Byfield for over 40 years. He served on the Board of Trustees at the Newburyport Bank and was a member of the Newburyport Rotary Club.

Ben was married to the love of his life, Jean for 63 years until her passing in December 2013. Together they enjoyed life to the fullest while hunting, fishing, skiing and golfing together. After the mill closed they retired to Brays Island, SC where they spent twelve wonderful years before moving back to Oceanview in Falmouth, ME to be close to family.

Ben is survived by his daughter, Robin Pearson Cogan and her husband Hub of Sheldon, SC; son, Benjamin Pearson X and his wife Sandy of Durham, ME; grandchildren Jeremy Lyons and his wife Julie of Carlsbad, CA; Katie Nugent and her husband Ryan of Haverhill, MA; Julia Pearson presently residing in London, England and Jean Pearson and her husband Alex Papaa of Tanzania. Mr. Pearson is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews as well as his brother-in-law, Hugh Pearson of Haverhill. His sister Anne Pearson predeceased him in 2010.

He will be fondly remembered by family and friends for his amazing sense of humor, sharp wit and sense of fun.

Services will be private with a memorial date to be set for the spring. Remembrances may be made in Ben’s memory to a charity of your choosing.

The family would like to thank the staff at Foreside Harbor for the love and care they gave Ben while he resided there.