In Memoriam: Benjamin Eric Newton

Bill and I, along with our family, would like to express our gratitude to everyone for the many expressions of sympathy and support we have received from BRAT adopters and volunteers from all around the nation.  Besides many memorial donations to the Mattoon Knights of Columbus to support the charities Ben supported:  Camp New Hope and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Coles County, I am aware that BRAT has received many, many donations in his memory.  Bill and I and the rest of our family knew Ben as a wonderful son, grandson, brother, and uncle, but we did not have any idea that others also recognized him as a wonderful man and community member.  His tragic death is a loss to all who knew him. 

Sincerely,
Bill and Liz Newton
John and Mary Fehrenbacher
Jamia Newton-Jones, Josh, Jeremy and Jonathan
Julie and David Piacenti
Katy and Blaze, his basenjis

(for more on Benjamin Newton, visit http://www.basenjirescue.org/)