We Lost A Great One Today

[M-Pressive]

Hey Everyone,

We lost what many of us would consider a great friend and a member of our family today. John Benjamin (beespecial) peacefully passed away this morning in his home.

Barb reached out and wanted to let us know and to share it with the club.

Anyone that met John had an instant connection to him. His passion for the club and the people in the club is unsurpassed. We were all family to him and we felt the same way back. Club meets will not be the same without him there. I am left with an empty feeling and am devastated for Barb and his family.

Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

I will update here as I find out more.

[Carfan77]

My grief is profound and my heart is broken. Among many wonderful friends in this club, John was one of the extra special people whom I loved every moment hanging out with. His joy in life’s moments and his laughter were contagious. Wow. This hurts and I truly grieve with his family.

[FIREM]

Where does one start to remember and honor a true friend, brother, family member and all around great guy like John ? Words just do not cut it. Thoughts and prayers to all family & friends that he has touched over the years. Will truly be missed!

[LUNAT1C]

I can’t describe the shock. Just last week several of us had a Zoom call with John and Barb, and he appeared to be the picture of health. Today, a huge example of this club being a family is gone without warning. This afternoon I brought the club poster from the 100th Running IndyMeet over to our new house and thought wistfully of all of the club meets in Indy that I’ve had the pleasure of joining, and was thinking fondly of John and Barb, before coming to know about his passing.

My heart is genuinely broken, especially for Barb and the rest of his family. This man was genuinely a treasure as a friend, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. Future club meets simply will not be the same without him.

Keep in touch with your loved ones. You never know when it will be too late. We’ll always miss you, John

[In-trepid]

It was just a couple of months ago that we had a mini working meet with John and a few of us in Indy. His hospitality to accomodate and help fellow club members was unmatched. This really comes as quite a shock. As others have said, John was everyone's friend and was always helpful and kind to everyone he met. I have a number of memories having spent three Carlisle meets and two Indy work weekends with John. He will be missed for sure. It's such a shame as he was really looking forward to his retirement and doing many of the things that he had wanted to do for years. John, we'll miss you! RIP.

[300GEM]

I am shocked to hear this news. So saddening... Can't believe it! I met John & Barb at my first Carlisle show back in 2017 and was truly impressed by how friendly they were. It was very evident that John loved his Special (and so did I!). I remember driving behind him on the way to the Firehouse restaurant in Harrisburg after the Club voting on that Saturday and partially relying on his guidance to guide me in the right direction. He did a darn good job, too, especially maneuvering though that tiny parking lot!

I was in northwest Indiana for the first time a few weeks ago back in March and thought about John. I'm certain that if I had made the drive down to Indianapolis to say "hello" to John and Barb, they would have greeted me with a smile and open arms. From now on, every time I see a graphite gray Special, I will be reminded of John. May he rest in peace. What a tragic loss for the Club.

God Bless and B SPCL, everyone.

[sparky99]

I’m so sad for Barb and the family. John was the closest member to me, and a great guy. He loved this club. I’m with Keith on being devastated. What a huge loss to the club.
I will be sending my condolences to Barb. My prayers are with them all.

[MommaM]

So heartbroken to hear this news!
He was an amazing guy. He will be missed.
We are praying for Barb and family.

[dcsally97]

I am in complete disbelief and gut wrenched! This is horrible news! My son and I were greeted by John B. and John S. at Carlisle 2018 and they made us feel welcome right away. I don't even have the words right now! He was posting just yesterday. Our prayers are with Barb and family. Next beer run, Landshark! Here's to you John.

[EasyRider300M]

It's so hard to believe. Yesterday he made a post and sounded just fine. Now he's gone. He will be missed by all members here. Tell your loved ones that you love them each and every day..for you never know if you'll ever see them again. Life moves in strange ways.

[Legenbas]

As with everyone else I am in complete shock. As Lunatic mentioned we had a ZOOM call just last week. He seemed his normal self, and in good health. Future meets will not be the same without him. My heart goes out to his family and I will be thinking of them. I will truly miss this great man, He made a definite impact on my life just knowing him.

[Chrysler1924]

John was a true gentleman. What a shock to hear this. Solomon The Allpar 300M and I had the privilege of being parked beside him at Carlisle years back and he was a truly awesome guy to chat with and get to know.

The club has truly lost a legend today.

John, you will be missed!

[First Lady]

It's been about 8 hours of deeply feeling this heartbreaking news and I just can't stop crying!

Loss is never easy and always scary. It has a terrible way of teaching those who remain hard lessons. We’re left to grieve the future without a piece of our hearts, without shared laughs, and the realization that our moments together are over. All the memories we recall, they’re simply never enough.

So many of us feel the family connection to fellow club members. Over the years, we’ve shared highs and lows of each other’s lives. We’ve vacationed together. We’ve had long, meaningful conversations into early morning hours. We’ve connected, we’ve cared, and we’ve loved.
I so deeply agree with all that has been shared about our dear friend John and carry your heartache in my heart and I deeply empathize with Barb, Sarah & Kyle, Cat, and his three granddaughters.

John was an amazing support for Keith as President; and I’m forever grateful for that. He had the best ways of saying things and offering perspective. I’ll never forget May 2013, while in Indy, John told Keith how much he appreciated Keith’s contributions to the club as President and that he didn’t want Keith to go anywhere. He also shared with Keith how much he liked me and if he didn’t marry me soon, he shouldn’t show his face around anymore! The next month, Keith proposed! John is the club member to taught me sleep was optional at club meets. He came to Carlisle 2017 with a bag of special parts for me as I had just purchased my very own M. John was the first to call me after my accident because he couldn’t wait for a forum reply and had to hear me. He contributed to rebuilding my car and as much as it meant then, it’s even more sentimental now. He always said I reminded him of his daughter Sarah, and I feel very blessed that he shared his family with us. His hugs…they were just great!!

Truly a man with a perspective I’ve always admired, priorities aligned within his heart, and one of the most genuine people I’ve ever known.
John will be missed by many for countless reasons and while our lives and this club will never be the same without him, I will forever carry his smile and laugh in my heart.

Grief is like the wake behind a boat. It starts out as a huge wave that follows close behind you and is big enough to swamp and drown you if you suddenly stop moving forward. But if you do keep moving, the big wake will eventually dissipate. And after a long enough time, the waters of your life get calm again, and that is when the memories of those who have left begin to shine as bright and as enduring as the stars above. – Jimmy Buffett

Until we meet again my friend…Rest In Peace John

[ja300mes]

Wow, this is sad news indeed. I never had the pleasure of meeting John in person, but he's been with the Club for so many years and we've traded many posts , comments and photos over that time. I know I'm not around here that much these days, but I'm feeling his loss nevertheless. Condolences to his family, and to our members who were close to him.

[StealthM]

I know its late as I read this tragic news... I don't know what to say. Me and Steph are heart broken about this news. I remember first meeting John and Barb at Carlisle and was greeted with a firm handshake from him and a hug from Barb. Being new to the club we felt that he inbraced us within the common thread of steel and chrome. His passion and love for the club always was apparent. Kind words and good advise was always welcome from him and taken to heart. Barb our hearts go out to you and your family. My heart weighs heavy tonight. Drive on brother and Godspeed.....

[Goofys M]

All the comments folks have posted about John are so heart felt, sad, wonderful, and a great summary of who John was. We agreed with every one of them. He touched folks in so many different ways as seen in the comments and with ease. He and Barb together reflected a generous heart and bountiful love. We loved seeing them walk up together hand in hand. There was such an aura of love around then that they loved sharing. Needless to say he was a unique individual as so many folks have pointed out. Yes he will be missed but what he shared and reflected will never be forgotten. Loss is painful especially for Barb ad the family so now as a group lets lift them up any way we can.

[grayslater]

I cannot believe what I have read this morning. For the little time I had spent with John, he was always a fun loving and generous man. I'd been to his home and he'd been to mine. Heck, John and Barb even let me spend the night once when I flew out to buy my Special and drove it back to Illinois. We had been to a handful of meets together and I had helped him work on his car. At one point in time, we had to my knowledge, the first video of the timing belt replacement after he drove to my home.

In the years to follow we were not very close but members of this family. As like many families, sometimes we're taken in another direction. Unfortunate for me, I didn't have the pleasure of spending more time with him. My condolences.

RIP beespecial

[FalKen]

RIP John, you will always "BEESPECIAL" to all of us !!

[KxWarrior]

Haven’t really been able to put how I feel into words... it’s been pretty surreal over the past 24 hours. I’ve just been going over the memories I’ve had with John. Pretty sure everyone who has said something and even the people who haven’t yet can say he was a really genuine guy, and super friendly. Not good at shaping words to really describe it, but it had me down since I heard about it.

Prayers to Barb, their family and until we meet again good friend.

[First Lady]

Haven’t really been able to put how I feel into words... it’s been pretty surreal over the past 24 hours. I’ve just been going over the memories I’ve had with John. Pretty sure everyone who has said something and even the people who haven’t yet can say he was a really genuine guy, and super friendly. Not good at shaping words to really describe it, but it had me down since I heard about it.

Prayers to Barb, their family and until we meet again good friend.

I feel you Ken!!