Benjamin Sly Arnold

1957 - 2024

Benjamin Sly Arnold

Norwich, VT - Benjamin Sly Arnold, 67, died at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH on December 24, 2024. Ben was born in Buffalo, NY on November 24, 1957, the third of five children of Nancy and Winslow Arnold. Although as a young child he was shy, he attracted many friends. As he grew older, he loved bike riding and became an accomplished skier. At one point he tried to teach his mother how to ski moguls. (It didn't work.)

Unfortunately, in his late teens he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. From this time, his life became a series of ups and downs. After some time, which included different jobs and living situations, he became stabilized and lived 20 years in a group home. During these years, he spent weekends at his family's home in Norwich, Vermont.

During the summer he mowed the lawn and enjoyed his favorite pastime - fishing in the Connecticut River while his parents paddled the canoe. In the winter months, weekends were spent cross-country skiing and often taking in a movie.

Ben was fortunate to spend his last few days at the Jack Byrne center where he received kind and compassionate care.

Ben is survived by his mother Nancy, brothers Jeff and Tom, and sisters, Julie and Liz and many nieces and nephews.

Goodbye Ben. We all hope you are in a better and happier place. Your loving family will miss your kindness, gentleness, and amazing sense of humor.

His mom asks that donations be made to namivt.org an organization that she actively participated in for many years. NAMI VT was founded in 1979 and it advocates, educates and supports individuals and families affected by mental illness to build better lives.

Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com