Benjamin Fane Goliwas Sr.

Born on July 21, 1942, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Ben was the seventh of eight children born to Walter Joseph Goliwas Sr. and Mary Fane Goliwas. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Mary Jo Thibodeaux, Colleen G. Holthaus, and Peggy G. Bourgeois, and his brothers Robert Edward Goliwas and William Joseph Goliwas. He is survived by his sister, Frances Joy Goliwas, and his brother, Walter Joseph Goliwas Jr. He is now joyfully reunited with Delery “Del” Eagan Strassel, his longtime love and companion.

Ben’s heart was full of the love of his family, including his children Elizabeth Goliwas Bodet (Robert †), Benjamin Fane Goliwas Jr. (Holly), Laura Goliwas Kuhlke (Chris), Andrew Alvin Goliwas (Madeleine), and Ynyra OShea. He held an unbounded love for his grandchildren who brought him great joy: Elizabeth “Ella” Kuhlke, Henry Kuhlke, Elizabeth “Libby” Bodet, Zachary Goliwas, Margaret “Maggie” Goliwas, Marcel Dubois, and Dominique “Mika” Dubois (Justin). He had the opportunity to hold the hand of his great granddaughter Juniper Alaine Berdahl-Dubois.

Having served as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Ben was affectionately known as “The Admiral.” Few things brought him as much joy as being out on the water. Ben felt most at home with the wind in his sails and the horizon ahead of him, a passion that also inspired his support of the Ocean Conservancy and its mission to protect the waters of the world. He founded the grassroots organization Home Port New Orleans, where he was instrumental in coordinating the crucial removal of storm debris from Lake Pontchartrain after Hurricane Katrina.

Ben dedicated much of his life to early childhood education, shaping young minds with the same warmth and patience that would come to define him in every other chapter of his life. He was an early supporter of the Special Olympics. He was a longtime volunteer of WYES, sharing in its commitment to educational programming and community, supporting his belief that “it is in giving that you receive.”

Ben held a lifelong belief in the power of the number 52, fittingly, according to gematria, the numerical value of the name ‘Ben’ is 52, a quiet reminder that even in the smallest details, he was exactly who he was meant to be.

Blessed with the luck of an Irishman, Ben lived a marvelous life that spanned the globe. He believed his greatest successes were measured not in material achievements, but in relationships and memories. His guiding philosophy to "treasure the moments" was more than a saying; it was the way he lived every day. Whether meeting someone for the first time or reconnecting with an old friend, Ben had a rare gift for bringing people together. His warmth, curiosity, optimism, and genuine love for others (humans and all creatures great and small) made him beloved by those whose lives were brighter for having known him. The greatest way to honor his memory is to live as he did with gratitude, generosity, and an appreciation for life's simple gifts.

Above all, treasure the moments.

Hip, hip!

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, August 22, details to come.