Ben,

The last time we talked was on Christmas. You weren't feeling well, but still made the time to talk. We didn't talk about anything out of the ordinary and I think much of it was a complaint about the weather in New York at the time. Even so, by the end of the call, both of us were feeling much better, mentally at least. I wish that hadn't been our last call, but I'm glad we had the opportunity to talk.

You'll never know how much we're all saddened by your passing. I'll miss talking about restaurants with you and sharing my weird game ideas. Your feedback was always appreciated. You were my other younger brother and your existence ultimately improved my life in so many ways that I can't fit into one comment on the internet.

I've done my best to do right by your memory though. I made sure that the others knew shortly after I found out and organized a small memorial with all the regulars tonight, where we all shared some of our favorite moments, how we're remembering you, and how you improved our lives.  I even wore a suit, even though none of us were on camera. I felt it was only appropriate, knowing how strongly you felt about owning at least one.

It's going to be difficult moving forward. I hope that your family and friends can find some solace in knowing that you will be remembered as a good man and have left a lasting impact on many people's lives, and I hope that in death you might find the peace that you so greatly deserve.

Rest well, my good friend and brother. I love you and I'll miss you.

I don't know why I've held off so long on writing a memory, despite knowing how long this has been an open vessel, but I think it's that I'm still in the stage of anger or bargaining about it.

Servers changed, friend groups formed, grew, thinned out, grew again, thinned out again, and yet we still kept in touch almost every day, or at the least twice a week. I feel so fortunate that I got to visit and hang out with you in Manhattan and always had fun because we were both huge food and culture snobs. I still have great memories of you getting mad at all the trendy places on St. Marks I wanted to get sweets at or those loud women in the basement of Supper. The way the hostess at Atta Boy stiffed us for a table even though you knew her! 

We'd talk when things were bad. The cards you were dealt in life. My bad decisions and bouts of heartache. You're the reason, just because of a birthday gift that seemed so insignificant at the time, that I even found the motivation to go back an earn a bachelors degree. You would've been floored to hear I passed the test that was eating away at me and inadvertently, it's all thanks to you. You said that I was like an older sister to you. I was really excited to show you around here when you were going to come out for the wedding Chris and I were going to throw. It hurts to know that can't, and won't ever get to happen. It hurts to know it was almost fifteen years of getting to be your friend. It stings that you were so young. I guess at some point I'll just have to go back. Maybe a slice at Scarr's in your honor, or well, what an in-person visit has to be now.

I'll miss you.

We met playing Team Fortress 2 and spent countless hours arguing about the nerdiest things—video games, movies, anime, comic books. Those debates made our friendship special. I’ll always remember how passionate you were when we’d talk about baseball—sharing memes, arguing over prospects, and venting about the incompetence of management. The World Series—Dodgers vs. Yankees—will forever stand out. Even though we had strong feelings about that 5th inning, I’m so glad we watched it together.

Fifteen years of friendship is no small thing, and my only regret is that we never met in person in New York City. Life kept getting in the way—work, nursing school, and trying to piece my life together. And just when things were finally coming together for me, life had a funny way of throwing another gut punch when I heard the news from one of our gaming group friends.

Ben, you were always there, a constant, even when life was hardest for you. I truly hope you’ve found peace, my friend. You deserved so much more.

Thank you for being my friend. I’ll miss you always.

I first met you during a particularly awful time in my life, and your warmth and humor helped me get through it. I cannot possibly overstate just how lucky I am to have been someone who got to call you a friend.

I'll miss you dearly. We fell out of touch years ago but I never stopped thinking of you or considering you my friend. You were one of the best people I could ever imagine and I was honored to be someone you talked to. You chose me to spend time with and I'll never forget that. Thank you.

I had never had the privilege to meet Ben in person, but was fortunate enough to be able to talk to and share the same group of friends online. He was always the funniest person in the group and never failed to make me and countless others laugh.  I’ll never forget the 15+ years that we were able to spend together and I’m very lucky to be have been able to call Ben a good friend of mine for that duration. 

You will be sorely missed and thank you for all the memories that I will cherish and look back at fondly.

Rest in peace my friend, 15 years wasn’t long enough to know such an amazing person.

He was my best friend. Though I never met him, I knew and spoke with him since we were both starting high school. A brilliant, hard working man who was always selflessly dedicated to his family. We talked for countless hours about our lives, shared our achievements and our hardships. He helped me through some of the hardest times of my life and I will forever be indebted to him.

A tragic loss. My heart, my prayers, for whatever they're worth, go to his family in this difficult time. His memory lives on through all of us.

There is nothing worse and more painful than losing a child. It is impossible to find such words of support to ease your pain even a little.
My deepest condolences ! It hurts to even think about it, it’s hard to talk about. I sympathize with your pain! Eternal memory!

My 21st birthday—how could I forget? You were only six months older than me, yet you always seemed so much more mature. I admired that about you. You had this natural way of balancing responsibility and fun, which made you so unique.

We always understood each other so easily, especially when it came to convincing your father of something—we made such a great team. And who else could I call when I couldn’t figure out my computer? You were always there to help, no matter what.

You weren’t just a coworker to me; you were like family. I miss your laugh, your advice, and the way you could light up any room. Even though you’re gone, your memory lives on in everything I do. Thank you for being such a special part of my life—you’ll always have a place in my heart.

OBITUARY

Benjamin Shifrin

February 2, 1995 – January 6, 2025

Nevsky Yablokoff Memorial Chapels

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services