Benny's Last Wish. His journey home.
Donation protected
TO FRIENDS OF BENNY,
Brendan White "Benny" passed away just months before the COVID shutdown.
In his own words from his Will - “Regarding my ashes, I want them to be put on my mothers grave in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Sheila White.”
Benny's last wish has been postponed for a long time. This August Benny’s two daughters Nina and Shannan will be coming to Boston from Japan with his ashes to honor his wishes.
Brendan White "Benny" passed away just months before the COVID shutdown.
In his own words from his Will - “Regarding my ashes, I want them to be put on my mothers grave in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Sheila White.”
Benny's last wish has been postponed for a long time. This August Benny’s two daughters Nina and Shannan will be coming to Boston from Japan with his ashes to honor his wishes.
Obviously losing their father has put his wife and children in a bad financial situation. To help them carry out Benny’s wishes, I along with some close friends have financed his children's journey to place him in his final resting place.
We are hoping for donations to help alleviate the high cost of this endeavor.
The flight tickets alone are $4500, this is double of what it is usually due to the economy/inflation and also being in the summer when the children are off of school.
A personal note.
When Benny was a young boy his father left him, his mother and his two brothers. He never saw him again. And then when he/we were in grammar school (5th grade, around 12 years old) his mother died from a battle with cancer. I witnessed this happen and it was horrible as a friend, I can't imagine how he really felt. She was a wonderful woman who treated me kindly even through her sickness.
Benny fought through this with the help of his brothers and his intelligence and hockey skills. He graduated from the prestigious college of Skidmore, NY. He ended up in Japan after a world wide backpacking trip after graduating. He then started a business and a family in Japan. I met his wife on many occasions both here and in Japan. I haven't seen the kids since they were babies.
Since that time his brother Freddie passed away and has just one family member left, his brother Brian who lives in Florida who Benny adored. Me and Benny were like brothers and friends since grammar school. His other closest friend Marc from college is also part of this undertaking.
I vowed to be a connection for his children to his hometown if this time ever came. I am trying to fulfill that vow.
Benny was a great friend to me. He always cared more about how I felt than he did himself. Friends like that are hard to come by. If anyone cares to hear particular stories about our friendship and his character, I will enjoy telling you. I would not do this for just anyone.
Your generosity will be deeply appreciated by all of us involved. P.S. - Any extra money raised will be given to Benny's daughters Nina and Shannan.
The flight tickets alone are $4500, this is double of what it is usually due to the economy/inflation and also being in the summer when the children are off of school.
A personal note.
When Benny was a young boy his father left him, his mother and his two brothers. He never saw him again. And then when he/we were in grammar school (5th grade, around 12 years old) his mother died from a battle with cancer. I witnessed this happen and it was horrible as a friend, I can't imagine how he really felt. She was a wonderful woman who treated me kindly even through her sickness.
Benny fought through this with the help of his brothers and his intelligence and hockey skills. He graduated from the prestigious college of Skidmore, NY. He ended up in Japan after a world wide backpacking trip after graduating. He then started a business and a family in Japan. I met his wife on many occasions both here and in Japan. I haven't seen the kids since they were babies.
Since that time his brother Freddie passed away and has just one family member left, his brother Brian who lives in Florida who Benny adored. Me and Benny were like brothers and friends since grammar school. His other closest friend Marc from college is also part of this undertaking.
I vowed to be a connection for his children to his hometown if this time ever came. I am trying to fulfill that vow.
Benny was a great friend to me. He always cared more about how I felt than he did himself. Friends like that are hard to come by. If anyone cares to hear particular stories about our friendship and his character, I will enjoy telling you. I would not do this for just anyone.
Your generosity will be deeply appreciated by all of us involved. P.S. - Any extra money raised will be given to Benny's daughters Nina and Shannan.
Thank you,
John Keefe
Organizer
John Keefe
Organizer
Malden, MA