Benjamin Joseph Gan
December 3, 1924 - December 1, 2004
Obituary
Benjamin Joseph “Boleslaw” Gan, age 79, passed away peacefully with his family and his companion Shirley Taylor by his side at his home on Wednesday, December 1, 2004.
Born in South River, New Jersey on 12/3/1924. Ben graduated from South River High School in 1942. He served the United States Navy in World War II in the American Theatre Pacific, aboard the USS Clarence Evans and the USS Hodges until the spring of 1946. He went on to graduate from Rutgers University in 1954 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Ben found his way to the Pacific Northwest and The Boeing Company. He was employed there for 30 years as an aerospace engineer, retiring in 1988. He married Norma Jean White in 1956. They raised 4 children. He instilled the love of the outdoors in all his children. Fishing & camping around the Hoh Rain Forest and Pacific Ocean beaches. Skiing, baseball and gardening are all things he enjoyed and his children do today. Baseball was always part of his life. Ben coached kids from Little League all the way through High School and American Legion in West Seattle. He had his own time playing “the game” with the Independence League in New Jersey for two summers and a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals. Loving father to his daughter and three sons, he is survived by Greg and Karen Owens daughter, Michael J. Gan son, Carla and David T. Gan son and John C. Gan son. His family also included 4 grandchildren: Valerie and Michael B. Gan grandson, Dustin and Lindsay Browne granddaughter, Jaclyn Gan granddaughter and Sean Owens grandson. Ben was also blessed with a great-grandson Austin Wesley Browne. Ben is survived by Catherine Kruczynski sister and Chester A. Gan brother. Ben is preceded in death by his parents Anastazya and John Gan, brother Edward J. Gan, his 1st wife Norma Jean Gan and 2nd wife Shirley Lee Gan. Memorial Services will be held on Friday, December 10, 2004 at 10:00am at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 206242-1787. A formal Catholic Mass will be held in East Brunswick, New Jersey at a later date.
I too offer up my heartfelt sypmathy and condolences to Mr. Gan’s family and friends. I was lucky enough to be a player on one of his very succesful American Legion baseball teams out of West Seattle. As talented as we were, it was Mr. Gan’s astute coaching and game planning strategy that helped us win so many big games. Those tournament games in Everett and Yakima were some of my fondest baseball memories. In looking back on those days as a parent and a coach of my own kids, I’ve really come to appreciate the amount of time and dedication Mr. Gan had devoted to all of us those summers. Farewell Mr. Gan and Godspeed. Rest assured that you have influenced another generation of baseball devotees. Thank you!
I grew up down the street from the Gan’s in West Seattle. His son John was my age, and I’ll always remember Mr. Gan as being so kind and nice to all of us rowdy kids in the neighborhood barging in and out of the house during the summers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
The last time I saw Ben, he had to leave the baseball game for the 4th of July that he and I were umpires for. His reason was to get home to his grandson. I thought he was too young to be a grandad as he was in great shape and youthful in appearance. Very good umpire and nice gentleman. Our NBUA association was lucky to have Ben as a member.
I also umpired with Ben, I say that because Ben always controlled the game. He has earned the respect of all the coaches as well as the players on the teams. Ben was a great guy to work with, he was always on time, in good shape, and a real expert on the rules. No body gave us any trouble when Ben was on the field. He often spoke of fishing as well as the other family members. He carried a smile on and off the field. I often think of Ben and his long time friend Joe Zanowitz…….They probably worked a thousand games together. As an association, we knew we could always count on Ben to do that extra game on a hot day or to cover that “cushy” little league game that had no umpire. He was a great guy and a fine umpire.
Brian Gooch
as father of carlawife of david express my deepest sympathies
Our sympathy and condolences to Uncle Ben’s family and friends.
Josephine and Bob Sienkiewicz
Bob’s mom is Ann Kruczynski Sienkiewicz Malkiewicz- sister to Frank and Catherine Kruczynski
We’ll always remember your warm smile and gentle ways; you’ll always be near in spirit. We’ll be here to welcome you home. Until then – Ron and MaryLou and Family
Dail and I would like to express our deepest heartfelt condolscences in the loss of your beloved father. Cherish the good memories and know in your hearts that he loved you all very much.
Dail, Lou, Kathryn, Pete, Brian, Gary, Cecil, Karli, and DJ Hixon.
Looking back, there were nothing but fond memories of Uncle Ben as a kind, gentle and loving soul. All of those who knew him will miss him dearly and remember him fondly. With Love-Nicole & Tyler Whiteside