Benjamin Dragich

Dragich, Benjamin
Age 31, passed away tragically of natural causes at his home in Lawndale on February 24, 2007.Ben was born Benjamin Ray Piasecki on December 6, 1975, at Torrance Memorial Hospital in Torrance, CA. Like most children who grew up in the Beach Cities, he spent his summers at the beach boogie boarding, snorkeling and spear fishing, eventually learning to surf at the age of seven. Ben attended school locally at First Baptist Preschool, Alta Vista Elementary School, Hillcrest Middle School and Redondo Union High School. It was while at RUHS his love for swimming and aquatics rewarded him with a coveted spot on the men's varsity water polo team while still only a sophomore. A natural-born athlete, he helped lead his team to many wins and still holds the RUHS record for swimming the 200 medley relay in 1993.After Ben graduated in 1994, he joined the workforce as a prolific waiter employed at many different local restaurants around the South Bay. He continued to surf daily and pursued other pastimes like snowboarding and eventually found himself as the charismatic lead vocalist in a rock band that performed at many popular South Bay venues, in time becoming a local favorite. At the age of 25, and determined to be his own boss, Ben transformed his apprenticeship as tile-setter into his own lucrative construction business using his talents as a skilled tradesman to create and give back to his community until his passing. All the while he continued to challenge himself athletically, adding new activities like motocross-style dirt-bike riding to his already impressive list of talents. However, it was his singular passion for surfing that persevered and motivated him to travel the world where the waves are legendary. Ben traveled with friends to Brazil, Costa Rica and, most recently, to Hawaii on the North Shore where he successfully took on impressive 20-foot swells.Ben was the golden light of a shining summer sun, and his departing is a permanent shadow on all our hearts.Ben is survived by his loving mother, Patricia; Oma Louise; beloved Tante Inka; Oom Robert; Oom Andre; 7 great-aunts; 3 great-uncles; 65 cousins; and a legion of loyal friends.Memorial services will be held on March 10, 2007, at 11a.m. on the beach at 2nd Street in Hermosa with a paddle-out in his honor. Immediately following services, there will be a gathering at Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach King Harbor to reflect and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, Ben's family requests contributions be made to the Benjamin Dragich Memorial Fund c/o Wells Fargo Bank. Attn: Conrad 1103 G Street, Arcata, CA 95521. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.