Benjamin Joel Sanya was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 16, 1993, and left this world far too soon on May 25, 2026, at 32 years old. He spent most of his childhood in Bullock, NC, where he attended Granville County schools and played basketball and football at J.F. Webb. Ben was the kind of person you do not forget. He made an impression wherever he landed—not because he tried to, but because his spirit was as big as him. He was funny, mischievous, loyal, tenderhearted, and completely, unapologetically himself.

To know Ben was to know love in action. He adored his longtime love, Taylor Driggs, and their engagement on Christmas Day in 2021 was one of the happiest moments of his life. He loved her deeply and credited her positivity and support with helping him grow into the mature man and father he had become. He was also the proud father to his son, Maverick Joel, and daughter, Mila Dare, who had him wrapped completely around their fingers from the beginning; there was nothing he would not do for his children. Being their father was his greatest accomplishment in life, something he shared often.

From the moment he came into this world, Ben was a good-natured, fun-loving knucklehead with a knack for getting caught red-handed. He kept life interesting from the very beginning. One of the family stories that will always make us smile is how he chose to get baptized five or six different times. Partly to ensure he would achieve his spot in heaven, but also because being in the water was a lot more enjoyable than sitting still and watching everybody else get wet! That was Ben—full of life, full of humor, and always finding his own way to do things.

He loved anime, breakfast food, trying new recipes, Duke basketball, random FaceTime calls, conspiracy theories, and celebrating his North Carolina-Nigerian heritage. But more than any hobby or pastime, what Ben truly loved and cherished was his people. He had a gift for making strangers feel like old friends. He accepted people exactly as they were, and somehow always found a way to make them feel better about themselves after each conversation. He was loyal to a fault, and if someone needed him, that was the one time you could count on him to not be late. He lived life on his own terms and never stopped trying to lighten the mood, even in hard moments.

Ben’s loss has left his family and everyone who knew him heartbroken. His fiancée and children must now navigate life without him and we would like to make the financial aspects of this easier. Please consider donating and sharing this fundraiser with others. All support, no matter how big or small, is appreciated. The family would like to thank everyone for their support and kindness during this time.