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Houston, Isaac Benjamin


Isaac Benjamin Houston
1928- 2022

My husband and the light of my life, Ben Houston, passed away peacefully in his own bed,
holding my hand just as he would have wanted.
Predeceased by his parents, Anne and Isaac, his three brothers, Charles, Orr and Samuel and his sister, Jane all of Northern Ireland;
his first wife, Barbara and daughter, Susan,
as well as sisters-in-laws, Patricia Mohr and Andy Peacock 

and his brothers-in-law, Raymond Anber, Michael Khoury, and John Emran
as well as many friends and contemporaries over the years whom he loved and shared good times with.  
Our hope is that he’s seeing them all again.

Ben was deeply loved and will be missed by his wife of 33 years, Zahia (Zoe),
brother, Frank (Henni); children Bill (Teresa), Chuck (Colleen), Aubrey, Kellie Anne and Kent
and sisters-in-law, Laila, Sue, Mona (Fayez), Monti (George), Hinde and Lou.
Loving grandfather to Dustin (Kora), Danny, Connor, Katie (Max), Nicole, Christopher, Dylan, and Maggie
and proud great-grandfather to Liam, Aspyn, Kayleigh, Katelyn with another great-granddaughter on the way.
He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends all over the world
including Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Ben immigrated from Northern Ireland in 1949 at the young age of 21. Through hard work and tenacity, he found great success as owner/operator of STS Motors in Scarborough. There was nothing Ben could not do when he put his mind to it; nothing he couldn’t build, repair or create from scratch. When you were around Ben, you always felt secure in the knowledge that whatever happened, Ben could fix it, and he shared that talent willingly with all his friends and neighbours. What a safe feeling that was!  He also renovated and built several homes.  Then upon his retirement in ’95, he bought a farm in PEC thus returning to his Irish roots. He turned that farm into a County showpiece where many would stop to admire his red barn, his horses, his highland cattle and, most importantly, (at least to him), his beautifully mowed lawn. People used to tease that he used GPS to get those lines so straight!  This particular time from ’95 to 2007 leaves his family and friends with many incredible memories and stories to tell for generations to come. My nieces fell for his Irish charm and sayings. “You have enough tongue for ten rows of teeth!”, he would tease when they spoke too much or “live horse and you’ll get grass “, when they made him a promise he didn’t think they could keep. They lapped it all up and just loved their “Uncle Ben “.

Ben loved that farm but time and age necessitated a move. In 2007, his dear friend, Wayne Baker severed a lot for him to build a new house on the south side of 33 and he took that on with gusto and supervised the building every step of the way often working alongside the construction crew. He made sure that the work was done right. He admonished people to “beware my friend of good enough “.
He truly despised that expression. It needed to be great not just good.  Having put so much of himself into that project, the decision to downsize in 2020 was extremely painful but had to be made as his health was failing and he was unable to look after the property the way he wanted. In the end, the man who could do everything, could do almost nothing and that was so frustrating for him.
When the end came, it was a kindness. His pain was over but for those he’s left behind, it’s just beginning.
They say your grief is directly proportional to the depth of your love. We will be grieving a long time.

The family would like to thank Dr. Peter Johannsson, his staff and the staff at PECMH; Gayle and Christa and staff at the Wellington Pharmacy; the PSWs, Sue and Nicole and the VON, Judy. You are angels for the work you do. Thank you to all the friends and neighbours in the County and away who gave Zoe so much love and support. You know who you are. The family is in your debt.
To Gord Demers, with whom Ben shared a love of the Wellington Dukes where they hardly missed a game at home or away and a love of cribbage, (still not sure who holds the championship belt), there are no words. You were a good friend to Ben and Zoe.
She will never forget your support in transitioning to the new home, and in simply being there for Ben through good and bad times.
He was so happy to see you one last time.

Finally, an important and heartfelt thank you to Judy Weatherall, who came into our lives four years ago and who, when Covid made it impossible for the family to help, became family and did all she could to help Zoe move. She was with Zoe at Ben’s side rubbing his back when he took his last breaths. We are so lucky to have met you!

Arrangements in the care of Ainsworth Funeral Home, 288 Noxon Avenue, Wellington. 
Due to the current conditions of the pandemic, and the many different locations of our loved ones,
a celebration of life will be held at a later date to be announced.
Online condolences may be shared at www.ainsworthfuneralhome.com

Donations in Ben’s memory can be made to PECMH, the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the PEC Lion’s Club.

Rest In Peace, dearest Love.  I can feel those Irish eyes smiling down on me.

Memorial Donations to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation 
may be made by cheque and mailed to 403 Main Street, Picton, ON K0K 2T0
or online at www.pecmhf.ca 

Memorial Donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation may be made online at www.heartandstroke.ca 
or by cheque and mailed to 1525 Carling Avenue, Suite 110, Ottawa, Ontario. K1Z 8R9

Memorial Donations to the PEC Lions Club may be made by cheque payable to 
PEC Lions Club and mailed to P.O. Box 645, Wellington, ON K0K 3L0

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