Benjamin Chesley Bixby

HAVERHILL - On Saturday January Fourth, our wonderful father passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Kingston, NH. Benjamin Chesley Bixby was born December 20,1934 in New Jersey, and adopted by his parents, Chesley and Barbara Brooks Bixby. Ben grew up in Haverhill, Massachusetts and went to Haverhill High School (Class of '52), where he ran track. He also took a post grad year at Phillips Exeter (Class of '53). He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1957, the same year he married the love of his life Elizabeth Johnson. Ben joined the Navy (1957-1959) and served as Lieutenant Junior Grade, on a destroyer based out of Norfolk, Virginia, receiving a Captain's commendation in 1958. Ben contracted Polio in 1959 and was told he would never walk again. Boy were they wrong! He graduated Harvard Business School in 1961 and then moved from Cambridge to Bradford, MA to work at the family business - Bixby International (at the time Bixby Box Toe). He was a tremendous skier (on water and snow!) and tennis player, overcoming his physical limitations 60 years post his Polio diagnosis. He was very involved with the Boy Scouts as President, Vice President,Treasurer, Chairman of the Executive Committee as well as other positions, and received the Silver Beaver Award for exceptional service. He was Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President of the Board of Trustees for Bradford College. At the First Congressional Church in Haverhill, he was Church School superintendent, Choir member, Treasurer, Deacon and Church Counsel as well as other duties and was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Kingston, NH. He was on numerous company and charitable boards including Baybank, The Andover Companies, Essex Gas, Work Activities Center, Greater Haverhill United Fund, Haverhill Growth Alliance, Essex County Health Association, Linwood Cemetery, Family Mutual Savings Bank, Pentucket Five Cents Savings Bank, Kingston Lake Association, Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, and Bixby International Company as chairman of the board. He was also involved with numerous business and social clubs, including; The Kiwanis Club, United Fund, Republican Committee, and The Essex Fortnightly Club. Ben and Betsey traveled the world adding a charm for Betsey's bracelet at every destination. They have overfilled 4 of them!! Ben's greatest passion was for his friends and family, and although turning 90 in December, he leaves behind a multitude of loving friends and a loving family. Benjamin is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betsey, as well as their two children, who loved him so very much - Barbara Johns (Eric) and William Bixby, his grandchildren; Shannon Petros (Kevin), Lindsey Weber (Thomas), Sean Spellman, Liam Bixby and his four great grandchildren; Jason Petros, Luke Weber, Connor Weber and Benjamin Petros. Benjamin Bixby was a wonderful man who lived a beautiful and eventful life, full of love, joy and compassion. He will be sorely missed, but always cherished by those who were lucky enough to have known him. Services will be private. Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kingston Lakes Association. For guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com