Big Ben
Ben and friends Jonah Levis, Emma Bradford, Thomas Ferguson, and Justin Bradford
One of the first words that comes to mind when I think of Ben is HILARIOUS. He never failed to put a smile on anyone's face and make them laugh out loud. He was such a kind soul, incredible friend, and a positive light in our lives. We all loved spending time with Ben because he brought so much joy to our day. I met Ben in 8th grade back in the day when our two schools played each other in a good old varsity basketball game. As the years went on, our friend groups collided and some of my favorite high school memories involved hanging out at Ben's house all together laughing and probably kicking the soccer ball around at some point. When Ben had his accident in high school and was in the hospital, my best friend Claire Murphy and I went to visit him and all ate lunch together outside and went for a nice stroll. I'll never forget his positive outlook at that time when he was going through so much, and he still made us laugh the entire time. I feel so grateful to have known Ben and have him as a friend. He will be missed, but he absolutely made a positive impact in the lives of every single person he met.
-Claire Santamaria
Claire Murphy, Ben and Claire Santamaria outside of the memorial auditorium in Sacramento
Ben with Justin Bradford and Sabrina Hunt at the Gay Pride parade
I went to USC with Ben. Ben exuded kindness and warmth everywhere he went - I often ran around the track at USC and would see him practicing soccer in the middle of the field- he would always wave Hi to me - and sometimes it was the simple wave that my day that much better.
Ben always greeted everyone with a smile on his face - I hope we all remember to do that too.
-Kuba Soltysiak
Ben with friends Justin and Emma Bradford
He was so so loved. He was the guy everyone loved because there wasn’t anything to not love about Ben. He always brought a smile to my face and I will always cherish the memories I have with him. Some of my favorites were long summer days spent at my house, his house, Hayden’s house, or just bumming around Land Park with our friends.
-Hannah Hawkins
Ben with friends Sydney Rankin, Kathryn Benson, and Carleigh Nivens at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles
Ben with best friends Justin Bradford and Hayden Jones
I met Ben freshman year and it didn’t take long for me figure out that he was one of the brightest and most intelligent people at Christian Brothers. I always called him handsome and told him that I wanted to marry him... He would always blush and make jokes. I truly admired him and always tried so hard to get to know him. He was soft, humble, and kind yet also sarcastic and quiet.
-Brittney Rodriguez
Ben and Brittney Rodriguez
Ben with long-time friend, Sabrina Hunt
I got to know Ben through my son, Riley, and the Zoomers. One lasting memory of Ben was from a round of foot-golf for Riley's birthday--he was delightfully unconcerned with potentially making a fool of himself by "going big", and that example inspired me to do the same. My back hasn't really recovered. To me Ben was a gentle giant in the best sense of the word. That his death came as he was being a good samaritan magnifies the tragedy of it all. We need a few more people like that, not one less. My heart goes out to Ben's family and friends. Let him be an example to us all!
-Bruce Griesenbeck
Ben with friend, Mateo Garnica and family
I was disappointed I didn't have more meaningful pictures to share; just a bunch of joke pictures I took. Ben means a lot to me and my family. We spent a lot of time together. I don't think there was a week from sixth grade to sophomore year I didn't spend with him. He was my best friend, right hand man, confidante, etc. Words and pictures don't do justice to capturing who he was. He was one-of-a-kind. This pic was of us at a Giants game. It's a family pic.
-Mateo Garnica
Ben in high school with friends Jackson McMullen and Mark Wassmer
Ben Taylor and I met in preschool and we instantly became friends. As two of the largest kids in Sutterville Preschool history, we ran the yard and dominated in all sports.
Ben and I would rekindle this dominance and friendship many years later at Christian Brothers. Playing sports together and living down the street from one another made for a fantastic duo. Throughout high school we would hang out practically every weekend, and it was always at bens. It got to a point where I didn't even need to tell my parents where I was going, because they knew we were probably watching stand-up comedy at Bens munching on some late night Maries donuts.
Ben was a larger than life figure and someone that many people were fascinated by and drawn to. One of the most intellectual people I have ever known, Ben could carry, and dominate, a conversation with anyone. Ben and I's conversations were never that intellectual but they could go deep. Once he got the hot tub hot, we all knew we were about to tell-all. From girls to sports to girls and then girls, the hot tub conversations with Ben and friends are some of my greatest memories.
As time went on, and college came and went, Ben and I admittedly weren't as close as we once were. When Ben told me just a few weeks ago that he had moved back to Sac, I was ecstatic to rekindle a best friendship. As I know this will not happen, I am positive that he is watching, and laughing, over all of us. I will miss you brother. So much. Please give your mom and my mom a big Ben hug for me and I will see you on the other side. Love you so much.
-Hayden Jones
Ben and too many friends to count summer 2014
I didn't know Ben very well initially and didn't have the pleasure of getting to know him better until just recently in the past few months. Christo and I live together in Pocket, a recent occurrence beginning about 3 months back now. Tim and Ben were some of the first people to come over to our house. They since averaged once, sometimes twice per-weekend visits. Ben would be the first one in the pool every single time taking 2-3 dips per visit. He has swam in our pool more than anyone by a landslide. Even up to two weekends ago when he convinced Christo to turn the hot tub on for the first time ever (an expensive feat but Ben was so excited Christo couldn't say no).
They would stay for hours into the early morning making great use of THEIR guest rooms. He taught us to play Egyptian Ratscrew which I was convinced he just made up, partially because of the name and mostly because he won so easily. I always enjoyed the conversations about volleyball. He told me about the games he went to in college, asked me about my college volleyball experience, and just shared our love for the game. I appreciated having those conversations then, and I will now more than ever. It became a regular occurrence for Ben and Tim to come over, to the point where they "house sat" for us (which was basically them swimming and barbecuing at our house) while we were out of town. We still have a pair of Ben's boxer briefs drying on our gate and his designated swim towel outside by the pool. I will miss seeing him beeline from the front door to the pool and the sound of the splashes as he cannonballed into the pool. I won't ever walk outside into our backyard and look at our pool without thinking of him.
Ben was truly a one-in-a-million heart and soul and he will be missed. My heart breaks and I only got to share a brief chapter of life with him. I hope these small anecdotes bring you some sense of comfort and solace knowing just how he brought light to our life. Ben Taylor will always be remembered in our home.
-Nastassja Bowman and Christopher Lusich
