Shawn R. Benjamin

Shawn R. Benjamin, 34 years old, passed away Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Shawn was born at the Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, NJ on April 7, 1989. He was the oldest of three children born to Bob and Mary (Bill) Benjamin.

He was a 2007 graduate of Hunterdon Central High School. From there, he went on to Santa Monica Community College and Cal State East Bay, where he graduated in 2015. A few years later, he attended the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR, earning his law degree in 2019. At the time of his death, he was a beloved ESE Teacher at Galaxy Middle School in Deltona, FL.

In his brief, yet vibrant life, Shawn traveled to and lived all over the country and beyond. He spent time living in Santa Monica, San Francisco, Portland, and Austin - the States of Washington, Alaska, Tennessee, and Florida. And, for a while, he lived in Scotland. Throughout his years, he was a good athlete, an impressive self-taught guitar player and singer, an expressive sketch-artist and painter. Most recently he was honing his skills as a carpenter.

As an ESE teacher, he’d found his calling, working closely with middle school students with a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. What made him such a well-liked, well-respected teacher, was his emphasis on empathy and understanding.

Shawn leaves behind many friends, more than he ever realized. And he leaves behind a loving family. He was predeceased by his aunt/Godmother, Gina Benjamin and both sets of grandparents who loved him so much. He’s survived by his mom and dad; a brother, Terry, whom he shared much of his world with, his sister-in-law, Leah Benjamin, and his nephew Blake; a sister, Annie Grace, whom he adored, and her husband Michael Rabasca; his beautiful aunt, Pam Gale: as well as 16 wonderful Bill family uncles and aunts and 27 first cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 11am at the St. Paul Lutheran Church (201 Rt. 31 South in Flemington) under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Burial will be private at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Flemington, NJ.

To honor Shawn’s spirit, there is no need for formal attire. Come as you are most comfortable. Immediately following the funeral services, all are invited to Razberry’s Wedding Venue, 834 Rt. 12, Kingwood, NJ for luncheon, love, and friendship.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the Benjamins ask that you hug your family and hold ‘em tight.