Benjamin James Duffett passed away peacefully at his childhood home on North Halifax Ave., Daytona Beach on June 11th, 2018. Ben was born at Halifax Hospital on May 17th, 1961. He was the fourth child of Henry and Patricia Duffett. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as “natural”. In his youth, Ben was an avid skateboarder and surfer. He later surfed competitively, actually winning some contests and endorsements. He surfed all along the east coast of the United States from Sebastian inlet to Hatteras. In his young adulthood he surfed all over the world in places like Hawaii, Australia, Spain, Costa Rica, California, and the Bahamas. After his surfing days quieted down, Ben was able to complete high school by attending then DBCC. Text books, desks, and assignments were not for Ben. He did not want to read about life, he wanted to live it, and that he did. He used his good looks and “magical age as if it were a wand” to get by with very little effort. Ben would later go on to work for his brother managing the Woodcrest Townhomes complex. After that he obtained a real estate license and went to work at All Florida Properties wherein he did property appraisals. Following his real estate career, he took his dream job at Snack Jack’s, an ocean front restaurant where he could be close to his beloved ocean. He worked there until it was sold and then he had the luxury of retiring. In his retirement he continued to frequent the beach. The phrase “life is a beach” is especially true in Ben’s case. For many years Ben’s only worry in the world was “is the tide going to reach my chair”. Ben was later called upon to provide full time assistance to his aunt and uncle in their final years. He did so with consideration and love, and his family is forever grateful. His next assignment was assisting both of his parents who were into their twilight years. Ben’s addiction was beginning to take its toll and at times it was difficult to discern who was the caretaker and who was the patient. The loss of both parents in a relatively short period of time was just more than he could handle and lead to his downward spiral. His family loved him very dearly and are completely devastated by this loss. We trust that his friends and acquaintances realize that alcoholism is a serious disease and not just a character flaw. Ben was a kind, caring, and compassionate person notwithstanding this issue. Although we will miss him greatly, we take comfort in knowing that he is in a better place. Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, lyrics in a song can likewise do the same. This song written by Charles Aznavour speaks volumes:
Yesterday, when I was young
The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue
I teased at life as if it were a foolish game
The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame
The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned
I always built to last on weak and shifting sand
I lived by night and shunned the naked light of the day
And only now I see how the years ran away
Yesterday, when I was young
So many happy songs were waiting to be sung
So many wild pleasures lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see
I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out
I never stopped to think what life was all about
And every conversation I can now recall
Concerned itself with me and nothing else at all
Yesterday the moon was blue
And every crazy day brought something new to do
I used my magic age as if it were a wand
And never saw the waste and emptiness beyond
The game of love I played with arrogance and pride
And every flame I lit too quickly, quickly died
The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away
And only I am left on stage to end the play
There are so many songs in me that won't be sung
I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue
The time has come for me to pay for
Yesterday, when I was young
Ben was preceded in death by his parents and sister Gail. He is survived by his sister Lela (Harriel), brother Paul (Billie), brother John (Dawn), and many nieces and nephews. A private family service will be held on Mt. Mitchel, North Carolina next month and there will be a “paddle out” late this summer at Hartford approach. His brother, John, will post the details on Facebook. For those wishing to make a donation can do so to the Halifax Humane Society for Ben was a true animal lover and advocate for all living creatures.
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