Ben Neilson Murdock, 35, of Monhegan, a beloved father, son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend left us unexpectedly and all too soon on Oct. 4.
Ben was born on a beautiful spring day, June 9, 1983 and was loved immediately by his whole family. He had a kind, gentle, and sensitive soul and made friends easily. The love of his life was his daughter, Arielle. His second love was lobstering; he would often joke that seawater ran in his veins. At the age of 10, Ben began lobstering aboard his own boat, Winnie’s Worry, hauling 40 traps by hand before school. He loved hiking, snowboarding, Boston sports, and everything baseball. Everyone who knew Ben well knew how much he loved his family and Monhegan. He was a special person to so many and will be deeply missed.
Ben attended Monhegan School until the 8th grade and later Gould Academy in Bethel. With the pull of the ocean too strong he moved back to Monhegan to do what he loved and was born to do. He worked hard as a fisherman and even harder as a single father. In later years Ben struggled with debilitating health issues and the crippling struggle of addiction.
He will be forever missed by his daughter, Arielle; mother and father, Winnie and John Murdock of Monhegan; sister, Kristina Mitchell; brothers, Kyle Murdock, and Darrell Patterson; nieces and nephew, Ava, Isla, and Finn Mitchell; as well as his heartbroken extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins; special friend, Hannah; and many other dear friends.
There was a candlelight vigil Oct. 13 at Marshall Point Light in Port Clyde followed by a gathering of family and friends at the Harpoon.
A service on Monhegan will be announced later this fall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arielle Hope Murdock College Fund, c/o Camden National Bank, P.O. Box 880, Rockland, ME 04841.
To share a memory or condolence with the Murdock family visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchinson Funeral Home.
