Benjamin D. Graves

1972 - 2018

Benjamin "Ben" Dwyer Graves, 45, a native of East Bridgewater and now of Encino, Calif.,. died on May 9, 2018, from complications of Glioblastoma brain cancer, after an 11 month illness. A musician and artist by trade, Ben first became ill in June of 2017, when he suffered a seizure on stage while playing an event in Denver, Colorado, with the California-based band Pretty Boy Floyd. Ben was born and raised in East Bridgewater. He attended East Bridgewater schools and then graduated from Southeastern Vocational Technical in 1991. At the onset of his illness, Ben was pursuing a degree in graphic art with the goal of providing bands with his talent as an album cover and media designer. A talented drummer from the age of 15, Ben moved to Los Angeles in 2001 for his musical career advancement. Nine months later he played to a crowd of 35,000 in Japan. In his early years, Ben played with east coast bands Savoir Faire, Boston Brats, Flash Addict, Masquerade, and Terra Ex. The move to California proved fruitful as he toured worldwide with Murderdolls, Dope, Anti-Product, Synical, Switchblade Kitty, Nocturne, Sintanic, True To Crue, Davey Suicide and Pretty Boy Floyd. Known as a "hard-hitting" drummer and admired by legions of fans, Ben first learned his craft from Justin Santos of the band South Bound. Ben was the cherished son of Sharon Baird Graves and her husband Frederick A. Coe Jr. of East Bridgewater and Wayne J. Graves and his wife Elaine of South Carolina. Ben was the fiance of Lydia Gray of Encino, Calif. A wedding was scheduled for April but illness forced cancellation of their plans. In addition to his parents, Ben leaves his beloved siblings, Peter Graves of Haiku, Hawaii, Blake Coe and his wife Brittany of Northboro, Courtney Sullivan and her husband Dana of East Bridgewater and Lindsay Coe and her partner Annie Neuville of Warwick, R.I. He was also the loving uncle of Colin and Brooke Sullivan and Quinn Coe. The Coe, Graves and Baird aunts, uncles and cousins also mourn Bens passing. A longtime lover of animals, Ben and Lydia rescued scores of cats. Those who stayed to make a permanent home with him were Neo, Norman, Nermal, Ninja and Chalupa who will miss Bens loving touch. Bens best friends, Eric Griffin, Chris Rohner, TC Smith, Christine Van Fossan, Colin Cameron, De Decker and Jaclyn Kerrigan spent Bens last hours with him. Phone calls to Ben came in from Johnny Kelly, Acey Slade, Mal Levy and Wednesday 13. Bens family would like to thank the incredible staff of Valley Presbyterian Hospital for their care, comfort and professionalism. Visitation will be held at the Prophett-Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 98 Bedford St., Bridgewater, on Thursday, May 17, 2018, from 4-8 p.m. A celebration of Bens life will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in West Bridgewater. For online guest book and directions visit www.ccgfunearalhome.com. Prophett-Chapman Cole & Gleason 508-697-4332