Benjamin “Ben” Joseph Day
, beloved father, grandfather, and friend departed this earth on January 10, 2020 at the age of 62, after a sudden onset illness.
Ben was born on April 22, 1957 in Bagdad, AZ, the youngest of 5, to Florence and Carl Day. Ben was raised in Chandler, Arizona where he attended Basha Elementary and Seton Catholic High. After graduation he married Diana Holderman and, together, they had 4 daughters; Mary Susan, Stephanie, Andrea and Kelly. Ben enjoyed a lifelong career as a heavy equipment operator working throughout Arizona, Alaska, California, and Nevada.
As a descendent of one of the early cattle ranching families who settled in Arizona in 1864, Ben deeply appreciated Arizona’s natural beauty, rich history and cowboy culture. He was a skilled outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, guns, and gardening. He could make a trip to the gun store last a day. He loved the Packers, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks, banana milkshakes, bacon, and biscuits and gravy. Ben was most at home on the side of a mountain crushing rock, on his side by side glassing for game, shooting the breeze with a friend, and spending time with his family.
Ben was a memorable character with quick wit and fiery charm who did and said what he pleased with no apologies or advanced warning. He lived true to his motto “I’m here for a good time not a long time!” despite the consternation it caused his daughters and doctors. Honest, genuine, loyal and fun loving, he always left you smiling with his parting words, “Glad you got to see me!”.
Ben loved his daughters dearly and was fiercely proud of his grandchildren Allie, Aidan, Diana, Alexandra and Olivia. He joins his late wife and daughter, Diana and Mary Susan, as well as his parents, Florence (Flo) and Carl Day.
He will be remembered as an outstanding father, caring grandfather, and loyal friend by all of the lives he touched with his larger than life, loving, bold, personality.
A celebration of Benjamin Joseph Day’s life will take place per the details below:
Viewing
Thursday, January 16, 2020 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Bueler Mortuary 14 W Hulet Dr. Chandler, AZ 85225
Funeral Service
Friday, January 17, 2020 1:00 pm St. Mary’s Catholic Church 230 W Galveston St. Chandler, AZ 85225. A catered reception to follow. Location details to be provided at the Church.