Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Benjamin Hartford Obituary
Benjamin Thomas "Bently" Hartford, age 28, died May 16, 2020. The beloved son of Nora Madonick and Thomas Hartford, brother of Lily, Abby and Peter Hartford, nephew of Lennie Madonick and Laura Einstein, Ellen and Brian Alden, Anne and Tom Beggins, Claire and Harris Georghiou, Nancy and Jack Hartford, Chris Hartford, Matt Hartford, and James and Juhee Hartford. Benjamin touched many in his short life with his winning, dimpled smile, penchant for adventure, and remarkable wisdom for one so young. A graduate of Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business, he was a member of the school's Investment Management Group, and became Chair of Professional Development at a student business organization, ALPFA Baruch. He went on to become a top salesperson at a financial technology US startup. He loved publishing and playing music under the moniker DJ BNTLY. He had just launched his first two mix singles, Tunnel and Me&You, and was working on his dream of owning a recording studio that would offer affordable services to artists. He was a complicated soul, gentle and loving and angry and troubled. But what was perhaps most remarkable about him was his resilience. He was a survivor and fighter who got up over and over when the world knocked him down. He will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Backpacks for the Street at https: bfts.org/donate or Defy Ventures, https://www.defyventures.org/take-action-main/donate
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin Hartford
Tasvir Hasan
May 16, 2025
Ben, I appreciated you as a friend and mentee cause you always looked to help me as much as I tried to help you; moreover, you always looked to mentor people at Baruch and other groups. Rest in peace! You are remembered and missed. - Tas
Peggy Hetherington
November 9, 2020
Nora, I just learned of your unimaginable loss. I am so sorry.
Peggy Hetherington
Alex Pelle
June 23, 2020
Ben,
I am so sad to learn the news of your passing.
We accomplished some great things together--Key Sq and the mother-daddy of them all: Peterson. And we had fun while doing it, too. I am happy to have shared those accomplishments with you and will always remember you for that.
We will all miss your goofy smile, your humor, and your energy. You left this earth far too soon, with new challenges yet conquered and love and memories yet realized.
May God give peace to your family and friends, who I am sure are distraught by the loss, and may God bless your soul in heaven.
Charles O'Connor
May 28, 2020
New Ben well up in Portland Maine, great kid really sorry to hear he's gone, RIP bud rest in power
Paulie
May 26, 2020
Although I met Ben once, he gave me my first opportunity to do photo/video work for DJs in NYC. Not many people showed up to support him that night but that didnt stop him from doing what he loved. We created a friendship that night and once I exchanged my photos/video with him he was more than happy and that brought a smile to my face. This world is a crazy place where the good are taken way too soon. May you bring the deep house sets to the heavens above. Rest easy Ben, and my sincere condolences to all that have had the pleasure to know Ben.
Emily Beggins
May 26, 2020
Ben, we were so lucky to grow up with you; you taught us to embrace adventure and to step out of fear into new experiences. We miss you.
Alexis
May 25, 2020
Still at a loss for words and shocked that a young and beautiful soul has gone so soon. A musical genius, intelligent, hard worker and social butterfly. My condolences go out to his family and I pray and believe Ben is in a more beautiful place than we can imagine continuing to make wonderful music. You are loved and truly missed by many
Alexis
Sammie B
May 24, 2020
Rest in paradise Ben. U were such a cool and motivated dude. U were a good friend too. U will be missed!! Happy to have known u
Grace
May 23, 2020
One of my favorite memories of Ben was when we all spent a summer weekend camping in Hammonnassett. All the cousins went on a bike ride on our brightly colored two-wheelers and Ben somehow found himself off of his bike and stuck in thick mud. Both of his feet were suctioned to the muck and he had convinced us all it was quick-sand that would suck him under if he made any sudden movements. The rest of us cousins held hands and made a human chain to reach a hand to Ben while remaining on dry land. We were all panicking with no adults around. When we finally got Ben out (missing one shoe) he was just so excited because the dirty muck has tie-dyed his white socks that he thought getting stuck was the coolest thing ever and wanted to do it again! That was Ben- always bringing adventure to family gatherings. We love him so much and will miss him dearly.
Grace
May 23, 2020
One of my favorite memories of Ben was when we all spent a summer weekend camping in Hammonnassett. All the cousins went on a bike ride on our brightly colored two-wheelers and Ben somehow found himself off of his bike and stuck in thick mud. Both of his feet were suctioned to the muck and he had convinced us all it was quick-sand that would suck him under if he made any sudden movements. The rest of us cousins held hands and made a human chain to reach a hand to Ben while remaining on dry land. We were all panicking with no adults around. When we finally got Ben out (missing one shoe) he was just so excited because the dirty muck has tie-dyed his white socks that he thought getting stuck was the coolest thing ever and wanted to do it again! That was Ben- always bringing adventure to family gatherings. We love him so much and will miss him dearly.
Anne, Tom, Emily, Grace, and Catie
May 23, 2020
Sweet Ben, you will be greatly missed!
We will hold you close in our hearts as we hold on to memories.
Katherine Alden
May 23, 2020
Grace
May 23, 2020
One of my favorite memories of Ben was when we all spent a summer weekend camping in Hammonasset. All the cousins went on a bike ride on our brightly colored two-wheelers and Ben somehow found himself off of his bike and stuck in thick mud. Both of his feet were suctioned to the muck and he had convinced us all it was quick-sand that would suck him under if he made any sudden movements. The rest of us cousins held hands and made a human chain to reach a hand to Ben while remaining on dry land. We were all panicking with no adults around. When we finally got Ben out (missing one shoe) he was just so excited because the dirty muck has tie-dyed his white socks that he thought getting stuck was the coolest thing ever and wanted to do it again! That was Ben- always bringing adventure to family gatherings. We love him so much and will miss him dearly.
Grace
May 23, 2020
One of my favorite memories of Ben was when we all spent a summer weekend camping in Hammonasset. All the cousins went on a bike ride on our brightly colored two-wheelers and Ben somehow found himself off of his bike and stuck in thick mud. Both of his feet were suctioned to the muck and he had convinced us all it was quick-sand that would suck him under if he made any sudden movements. The rest of us cousins held hands and made a human chain to reach a hand to Ben while remaining on dry land. We were all panicking with no adults around. When we finally got Ben out (missing one shoe) he was just so excited because the dirty muck has tie-dyed his white socks that he thought getting stuck was the coolest thing ever and wanted to do it again! That was Ben- always bringing adventure to family gatherings. We love him so much and will miss him dearly.
Brian and Mary Alden
May 23, 2020
Ben , we wish we had spent more time with you.... time moves quickly...and your passing reinforces the thought that we should make time for loved ones and never take for granted our family... communicate and make every effort to spend more time with family... love your aunt and uncle ... Brian and Mary...
Nancy and Jack Hartford
May 23, 2020
Ben will be missed by his entire family, who loved him dearly. We will always remember his smile, his genuine laugh and personality, and his love of the outdoors. Rachael and Mary Claire always enjoyed riding quads and snowmobiles and playing in the pool with him. No matter how long it had been since we last spoke, we could catch up with Ben and it was like no time had passed. Can't wait to catch up with you again one day. We're excited to hear all of the good stories you'll have to share. Rest easy.
Peter Reid-Hartford
May 23, 2020
Ben,
I will miss your energy and motivation to strive for a better future. Thank you for all your help and support with career development.
Love you, rest easy bro,
Pete
Peter Reid-Hartford
May 23, 2020
Ben,
I miss your energy and motivation to life. I wish I could have thanked you for it. I will miss you dearly and youll be forever in my thoughts.
I love you bro, rest easy.
Pete
Thomas Hartford
May 23, 2020
Ben is missed by his brother and sisters. Pete, Lily and Abby
Tas H.
May 22, 2020
Ben was one of the nicest and hard working individuals I ever met. He was a mentee, and a friend. May he rest in peace.
Simone Taylor
May 22, 2020
I know that even though you have a loss, you still have some great memories. I hope those memories will give you comfort in knowing God is with you and your family lean on him in your time of sorrow.
Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results
Make a Donation
in Benjamin Hartford's name
Memorial Events
for Benjamin Hartford
How to support Benjamin's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Benjamin Hartford's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
