Obituary of Benjamin David Kobi

Benjamin David Kobi

Benny was born March 17, 1931 in Castor, Alberta, the second son of Emil and Pauline Kobi.  At this time they were living on the east side of Sullivan Lake, they would eventually move to old MacDonald’s place, west side of Sullivan, after the death of Benny’s older brother Rudy at age 3.  This is where they were living when Edwin and Harold were born.  One night, there was a terrible hail storm that damaged the home which prompted the family to move again to a spot near Hairy Hill.  This new home is where Lorraine and Evelyn joined the family.  After a series of moves, the family finally settled at the family farm one mile north of Byemoor. 

Ben left school to go to work.  He worked on thrashing crews, which he often spoke fondly about, after this he tried his hand as a rig worker.  He quickly discovered he did not like the job, so he then began working on road crews and drove heavy equipment and Cats.  His new profession brought him to Vulcan, where he decided to build a house near the camp cook, Mrs. Gouch’s home. 

Even though Ben was in his early 30s, he still looked very young and Mrs. Gouch watched over him like a mother hen.  During his time in Vulcan, Ben contracted a flu bug and slept for three days.  He was awoken, then cared for by a frantic mother hen.  This event changed Ben’s mind about his previous, “never getting married stance,” which he had taken up to this point.  As fate would have it, he was introduced to a cute X-ray technician named Lillian Abel.  Ben was smitten from the start, and Lillian was so impressed by this handsome man with his own house, boat and car.  Ben and Lillian were married in 1966 and were blessed with Brenda in 1967 and Tracy in 1969.

While Lillian was very much a city girl, Ben convinced her to move to a new family farm near Byemoor in 1972.  They bought Archie McBride’s land and Benny built Lillian her own house that the family would fill with love.  While the house was being built, the family lived in the old Walker place near Bill and Jean Lane’s.  In this temporary home, the family would make great acquaintances with the bats, snakes and salamanders that lived in the house as well.  However, Ben, Lillian and the girls became better friends with Bill, Jean and their two girls.  To the very end, Ben still missed Bill and Jean and spoke of them often. 

Ben was the road grader operator for a while and then moved on to become a contractor.  He could build anything he could imagine.  On the side, Ben roofed and shingled many of the homes and barns in the Byemoor area.  Tracy became Ben’s summertime “right hand man,” helping him shingle roofs.  Many summer days Tracy would be out hammering away next to her dad.  However, once Ben found out how much better Jim Keith was at the job, Tracy was out of work.  Jim and Ben would work together for many years on multiple projects.  Ben adored Jim and spoke about him so much Brenda and Tracy started calling him our other brother Jim.

In 2013, Benny sold his farm to a nice young couple, Jen and Clay Bunney, who are now raising their own family there.  Ben moved into Heart Haven Lodge where he made many new friends and got to reconnect with some old ones too. 

Woodworking and cabinet making was one of Ben’s favourite activities.  He left a legacy of handmade furniture for his family and friends.  Ben was very artistic and created many wood carvings and paintings.  Often building handmade frames for his work and for his friend’s art also.  Benny loved music.  He was always whistling while he worked.  He was a naturally talented musician and could hear a song and pick out the tune on the piano, accordion and harmonica.  Of all the instruments, he was best on his guitar.  Some of the sweetest memories the girls have of their dad are the Sunday morning serenades.  Ben would make a mess of the kitchen using every pot, pan and bowl available to make his girls pancakes, bacon and eggs.  Then while the girls were cleaning, he would play his guitar and sing for them.  He carried this on to Heart Haven where every Sunday morning he would play for Buster and the ladies. 

Looking back through Benny’s life we see time and time again that Benny was a light; he was kind, funny, and most of all he was loved.  He made the world a better place and will be greatly missed.  

Benny will be sadly missed and leaves to mourn his passing: daughters Brenda (Brad) Wolokoff of Sherwood Park and Tracy (Kelly) Volker of Erskine; grandchildren: Brady Wolokoff, Blaine Wolokoff and Brooke Wolokoff, David Volker (Candace) and Coralie Volker (Brandon); sisters and brothers: Evelyn Walker, Mary (Lawrence) Wilkie, Bill (Teresa) Kobi and Gordon (Della) Kobi; sisters in law: Maxine Kobi, Betty Kobi and Jane Kobi; brother in law Norm Kelly; numerous nieces and nephews, other family members and many friends.

Benny was predeceased by his parents Pauline and Emil Kobi, wife Lillian Kobi, sister Lorraine Kelly, brothers: Rudy, Harold, Edwin and Lloyd and brother in law Bob Walker.

A graveside service will be held for Benny on Friday, July 10, 2020 at 1:30 P.M. at Byemoor Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Benny are gratefully accepted to the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice.