Ben Etheridge Jr.

NEWBURYPORT, MASS. — Benjamin David Etheridge Jr., 57, of Newburyport, Mass. passed away unexpectedly of a cardiac event on Saturday, June 30, 2018 while cycling near his lake house in Poland.

Ben was born in Portland on Dec. 8, 1960 and graduated from Lake Region High School, after which he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine and an MBA from Bentley University.

For Ben, it was always family first. He was an extraordinary father to his three children; always actively involved in their lives whether it was coaching teams, skiing with them, or moving them into their first apartment.

Ben was a passionate humanitarian. He cared deeply about improving the lives of those less fortunate and making the world a better place. Those values shone through his commitment to affordable housing and his philanthropy.

In his 30-year career, Ben worked to create tens of thousands of housing units for low-income families and seniors around the country. As a principle of Chesapeake Community Advisors since 2001, Ben helped grow CCA into a leading developer of affordable housing. He brought to his work his tenacity, creativity, integrity and great sense of humor.

Ben’s philanthropy was enormously important to him. With an unwavering commitment to finding a cure for juvenile diabetes, Ben became the leading fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Maryland. Ben participated in the JDRF’s Ride for a Cure, a 100-mile bike ride, for the past 10 years and proudly wore the green jersey designating him as the largest fundraiser of the ride.

Ben was known as an avid outdoorsman and was rarely happier than when he was golfing, hiking, skiing and riding his bike. Through his work, his commitment to charity, his unconditional devotion to his family, and how he lived each day, Ben showed us the true nature of his character, a humble, strong, kind, and caring man, who never hesitated to put the needs of others before his own.

He was predeceased by his father, Benjamin David Etheridge Sr.

Ben is survived by his wife of 34 years, Connie; daughters Marisa and Megan; son Trevor; mother Francis; brother Steve; and sister Karen.

A service celebrating Ben’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 16, 2018 at the Poland Spring Resort All Souls chapel with a reception to follow shortly after.

Condolences and memories can be shared at hallfuneralhome.net

In lieu of flowers, Ben’s family requests that donations be made in his name to: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at: www.jdrf.org