It is with deep sadness and much love that we mourn the passing of Benjamin Daniel Konkin on November 21st, 2023. Taken far too soon at the age of 42, he battled his terrible and rare disease, Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma) for the better part of 6 years with such bravery, humour and strength. With the heart of a bear, he loved and laughed more fiercely and more deeply than most people who live even beyond their 90s. He made life better for us all.
Born and raised in North Vancouver, Ben was all-in when it came to the things he loved, investing his soul into his passions and hobbies. He grew up playing soccer with the LV Hawks, then took his love into coaching and even traveled to see the 2005 UEFA Champions League Finals in Istanbul. His interest in fast cars led into him co-founding the car club the North West Nissans. As an avid golfer, he enjoyed playing at courses near and far but especially at his home course, Capilano Golf & Country Club.
Ben was the life of the party (and the workplace), the guy who you’d bring as a plus one to one of your friend’s events and somehow would know more people than you. With countless quips, jokes and comedic quotes, he always had the room in stitches. His giving nature and caring soul made him not only an amazing friend to many, it was also the reason he shined as a salesperson everywhere he worked, from Ampco Graphics in Coquitlam to Coast Wholesale Appliances In Kelowna, making lifelong friends wherever he went.
Ben wooed the love of his life, Julia, without knowing it. They shared a life full of love and adventure, with a connection that rivals the best love stories ever told. In 2016, they got married and they moved to Kelowna where they bought their dream home with hopes of traveling the world, starting a family, and growing old together. In the first year of living in Kelowna, they traveled to France, Ireland, Hawaii and of course, Disneyland at Julia’s request.
Once Ben was diagnosed in January 2018 and his health began to decline, they still found the greatest happiness and fulfillment just being together in their Ohana House. Ben’s disease nearly took him out in the first year post diagnosis, but his love for Julia kept him fighting for their future. He seemed to recover and find remission for a couple years, allowing him to begin to build back some strength and find new ways to adventure in his more restricted body…but his disease was dormant in the background and after getting a common cold, it flared up, restarting the hardening of all the soft tissue in his body, including his heart and lungs.
Although he always had a smile on his face, the last few years of Ben’s life were made especially difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ben was an adamant and vocal supporter of wearing masks & getting vaccinated to help protect people like him who are most vulnerable in our society.
In January 2023, Ben was accepted into the Lung Transplant Program at Vancouver General Hospital. Knowing his life expectancy was short, he was motivated to step out of his comfort zone and live life a little fuller. In early May, he was hospitalized after over-exerting himself in a Track Day Event in his Audi S5 at Mission Raceway. Even being in the hospital waiting for his transplant Ben found ways to enjoy his days, scooting down to the cafeteria in his wheelchair each morning for his breakfast burrito, laughing so loud in his room with friends and family that even with the door closed we’d get looks from the nurses passing by. On July 1st Ben had his Bilateral Lung Transplant and fought for the better part of 5 months in ICU. He was surrounded by loved ones and was at peace on the day he passed.
Ben was blessed with many loved ones, from family, friends and co-workers, who loved him dearly as he was larger than life. He was a shoulder to cry on, a voice of reason, and if you were fortunate enough to call him friend or family, you knew he was there for you through the good, the bad and the ugly. Without judgement he encouraged you to be better, without benefit he had your back, without question he was there and most importantly without fail, you knew he loved you.
Ben will be dearly missed by his wife Julia, mother Monique, father Dann (Carey), sisters, Kylene and Mackenzie, his beloved grandfather Ray Stewart, in-laws Karen, Ray, Kit (Laura), Robin, best friend Dax and numerous other aunties, uncles, cousins and friends.
He is now joined by his heavenly grandparents, Helen Stewart, Jeri (Mucky) and Tom Konkin and Sylvia Heiliger.
Ben always wanted to share his story to raise awareness of his disease. He was part of a documentary being filmed by the Knowledge Network on Transplants. We will provide more information once it is released should you want to learn more.
A celebration will be held for close friends and family in Spring. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Scleroderma Canada https://www.scleroderma.ca/donate
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