Benjamin Johnathan Florer

Benjamin Johnathan Florer - a devoted son, brother and uncle, a good friend to many, and a librarian and scholar - died peacefully on March 7, 2018 at his home in White Plains, New York from complications related to the flu. Ben, as he was known to his friends and family members, was born January 19, 1960 in Yonkers, NY. He attended St. Hilda's and St. Hugh's in Manhattan, Monroe Woodbury High School in upstate New York, and Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, from which he graduated in 1983. He then attended graduate school in library science at the University of Washington.

Since the early 2000s, Ben has worked at the Portchester/Rye Brook Public Library in Portchester, New York. Ben was an avid sailor, skier, kayaker, and swimmer -- as comfortable in the woods of Sterling Forest, and the Bays of Cape Cod, as he was on the streets of New York. He spent most summers in Brewster, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, and frequently traveled. He was always well loved by his family, his teachers, and just about everyone who met him. His joy and wonder about the world was unique, and his willingness and capacity to care about others was unsurpassed. He went out of his way to celebrate others, and he was always a sweet, life-loving presence in any gathering. He is profoundly missed.

Benjamin Florer is survived by his mother Linda Heusser; his brother and sister-in-law Herbert Florer III and Tami Florer; his sister Faith Florer, brother-in-law Arthur Kleiner, and nieces Frances, Elizabeth and Constance; his stepbrother and stepsister-in-law Eric and Susan Heusser; and his stepsister Kristin Heusser.

We will celebrate with thanksgiving the life of Ben Florer at Grace Church of White Plains, New York on Wednesday, March 14th, at 10.30 AM. Interment will be at Grace, and the family welcomes you to a repast in the parish hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be designated for Grace Church.