Benjamin Flint Bates

It is with great sadness that the family of Benjamin Flint Bates, 25, of Brooklyn, NY, announces his passing. Ben, known by his friends as Breezy, fought a long battle with depression and died by suicide on September 27, 2023.

Born on August 7,1998 in Arlington, VA to Kristian Dixon and James Bates, Ben grew up and graduated from HB Woodlawn before relocating to New York, the city where he had dreamed of living since his first visit at the age of 8.

In 2019, Ben moved to Brooklyn and quickly became a true New Yorker. He explored the city by skateboard and subway. He loved the energy, creativity, people, and the randomness of it all. He set his sights on becoming part of the Diamond District and found a family at TraxNYC, where he worked in the social media department. Anyone that knew Ben knew that he was a true entrepreneur at heart. From an early age he was a wheeler and dealer. He was in the resale sneaker game at age 11 and designed a "Nike Bot" at age 12 (promptly receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Nike). Most recently he launched a fashion company, Breezy Bags, NYC.

To put it simply, Ben left a large wake. If you met Ben once, you remembered him forever. He had a big, bright, engaging personality that hid the dark cloud that often came over him. Despite his struggles, Ben's love of humanity made him a stranger to none. He moved to a city of millions and quickly created a network of lasting friends. Ben was quick to lend a hand, standing up against injustice and quietly helping the underdog as he went through his days. Ben most loved family and friends, his pets, a sunny day, good conversations, diners, music, fashion, movies, chicken and waffles, the B train, and skateboarding.

Ben will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Kristian Dixon, and husband, Sanford Tassel; stepbrothers, Ethan and Drew Tassel; his father, James Bates, and wife, Allison Cochrane; stepsister, Berit "Lil' Sis" Jarvis; and grandparents, Larry and Kathleen Wolfe. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Charles and Mary Bates.

Family and friends of Benjamin are respectfully invited to attend a memorial service and reception for Benjamin, which will be held at Fathom Gallery, 1333 14th St. NW, Washington DC on Sunday, October 15th, from 1-4pm. Parking is available at the Washington Plaza Hotel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Project Meow (https://www.projectmeow.org/donate/), in Ben's name.