Saying Goodbye to Ben with Love

Hello friends and family, my name is Maria Parker. My husband, Ben Parker, passed away last Tuesday in an unexpected and very sad way.

He was a big man, not only for his 6'6" height but because he had a BIG heart! He was always full of compassion, and love and ready to help anyone that needed him.

He leaves behind two amazing children: Anna Sophia, 16, and Mathias, 13, that are struggling to understand why Dad left so early. We are all struggling to think about all of the memories and major life moments and milestones they will no longer have with their Dad.

Ben was full of smiles and joy and even though his heart was soo big, it was not strong.... he had a quadrupled bypass. His illnesses and aches prevented him from creating many memories with his kids, but he would still find a way to smile and teach them gratitude and be always there for them. He taught them the most important life lessons: appreciation, love, responsibility and compassion.

More than anything I want you to pray for my kids. Tragically, my kids were the first to find him and call 911. They are devasted, shocked, scared and confused. Words can not describe how much they miss their dad right now. How much they will always miss his big arms around them, the goodnight kisses and him cooking them French toast on the weekends.

We all have a lot to process, but the kids most of all. Today I ask for your help dealing with all the weight that comes with his loss. I hope that this GoFundMe can help cover the costs for any counseling and other grief resources that Anna Sophia and Mathias will need, as well as taking care of his funeral/celebration of life, paying for utilities and moving expenses, and all of the other expenses that come now that we are a single-income family. Unfortunately, my salary alone is not enough to pay for everything that is owed. Ben and I have endured some financial hardships over the past couple of years which we are still recovering from as well. Sadly, we will be moving out of our lovely home full of family memories into a place that I can afford as a newly single mother.

God Bless your generous hearts and most of all for sending prayers for my kids.

We love you, Ben. We will always love you.