Benjamin Lee Work

On Friday, November 11, 2022, Benjamin fulfilled his heart's desire and met his Heavenly Savior. In the process, he was given a new body and restored mind. He was also reunited with long-missed family, including his son, Travis.
Benjamin Lee Work was born on September 19, 1953 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Richard and Lois (Spence) Work. Ben's hometown, which he was proud of, was Quarryville, PA. As a student at Solanco, Ben became a well-known athlete in the community. He started at a young age with a love for baseball, having shared many memories with his father. As a high school athlete, he played football and basketball. He is also a record holder in track. In 2009, Ben was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Solanco. This was a humbling and proud moment for Ben. He also spent his summers as a lifeguard at the Quarryville Pool. Upon graduation from Solanco, Ben attended McPherson College in Kansas.
As a young man, Ben became a hard worker, from driving truck to route sales, he made many friends along the way. Snack foods seemed to be what he could sell most. He spent time working for Pepsi, Herr's, and Frito-Lay. He retired from Utz.
Ben was also involved with caring for the rabbits at the Solanco Fair and coaching numerous years of baseball for Solanco Little League. He also enjoyed being part of the chain gang for Varsity football games. Anyone who knew Ben would know that he was a DIE-HARD YANKEES FAN! He also liked the Pittsburg Steelers and enjoyed a good horse race! He enjoyed Hammond's pretzels with a cold beer, sunflower seeds, vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup & peanuts, and anything yummy from the grill. Ben also spent many summers on the bay with his boat. He was a good water skier and a great swimmer.
Another great hobby for Ben was being the best babysitter! With his first grandson, he seemed to be the only one who could sooth him as a baby. This created a special bond and created a new purpose for Ben in his later years. This is where Ben received his new nickname, "Buh". Jared, Jordyn, Tenley and Dawson were the light of his life. He never got tired of throwing ball or spinning the kiddos on the computer chair, while playing their favorite music. He had the patience of a saint when it came to grandkids.
In 2014, Ben was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FDT), a progressive disease with no known cure. Ben was accompanied on his journey by his devoted wife Dorothy. They celebrated 37 years of marriage this past September. FDT is a cruel disease designed to strip away one's memory and function. Even though Ben was completely bed ridden and unable to communicate, he still kept his sense of humor and was able to make us laugh.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Wade), his mother, Lois Bodine of Fort Mill, S.C.; and a step-daughter, Amanda Brown, husband Tony of Paradise, PA. Also surviving are grandchildren: Jared & Jordyn Brown and Tenley & Dawson Work; sisters, Ann Cherie Shoemaker, husband Stuart of Kirkwood, PA and Lisa Bucy, husband Derrick of Fort Mill, S.C. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Work; stepfather, William Bodine; brother, Richard Work and his son, Travis.
At Ben's request there will be no public services, however in his honor, we request any donations to be given to Hospice and Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604. Their care through this process was second to none, our family was blessed significantly by their care. With those donations, we pray it's a sense of "pay it forward" to someone else in need of care. With Ben's love of sports in the Solanco Community, please make a donation to any sports program of your choice in his memory so Ben's legacy can be an encouragement to future athletes.