Benjamin I. Weld

Benjamin I. Weld, of Barker, passed away at home under the care of Niagara Hospice and his family, after a brief illness. Born on May 3, 1919, the son of the late Wallace and Edna Dunham Weld who lived at the old Weld homestead on North Gravel Rd., Medina, NY.Ben worked in the grocery business for Loblaws and A and P Tea Company. In 1947 he moved to Barker to buy the Red and White grocery store. In 1960 he was appointed Director of Weights and Measures for Niagara County. Ben also went to auction school in Kankakee, MI and was a local auctioneer for four decades. He was a longtime member of the Methodist church. As a boy in the Methodist church in Lyndonville, he was assigned to pull the bell rope for the call to worship. One Sunday Ben was preoccupied, the minister called out "Benjamin ring the bell". He was past president of Barker Lions Club which he joined in 1947. Ben was a life member of Somerset Historical Society at the Babcock House. He was past president and a 63-year member of the Barker Fire Company. Ben also received his 20-year life member ring he treasured. He also was a member of the Eagles for many years. Ben loved the American Eagle and American Flag and placed a flag flying high over the lake bank. Ben and friends restored a 1913 Model T, 1939 Ford and a 1967 Mustang. Ben and Mary enjoyed winters in Florida after their retirement in 1983.Survived by his loving wife, Mary Crowley Weld; devoted father of Mark (Debbie) Weld of Middleport and the late Scott Weld; grandfather of Nathan Weld, Melissa (Tim) Guenter and Timothy (Marlo) Spoth; great-grandfather of Conner Guenter and Savannah Spoth; brother of Louis (Barbara) Weld of Oregon; uncle of William Weld of Oregon; father-in-law of the late Shirley Weld.Friends may call at the RUTLAND-CORWIN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1708 Pallister Ave., Barker, NY, MONDAY 4-7 PM. A Memorial Service will be held TUESDAY at 11:00 AM in Faith United Methodist Church, Quaker Road, Barker, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094, or a charity of one's choice in Ben's name would be appreciated by the family.Please visit www.rutland-corwin.com to send a condolence to the family.