Benjamin Defibaugh

Benjamin Defibaugh, 91, of Aberdeen, Monmouth County, New Jersey, passed away at his home on January 3, 2021 surrounded by his family.  Ben was born on June 14, 1929 to Benjamin and Loretta (Lynch) Defibaugh in Staten Island, New York.  He grew up in West Brighton and graduated from P.S. 45 and Curtis High School.  He served in the infantry division of the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  Upon discharge, he joined the New York City Police Department and served as a patrolman for 39 years.  From 1957 to his retirement in 1991, he worked at the 122nd Precinct on Staten Island.

Ben met his wife, the former Joan Fence, in 1959 and they were wed in 1960.  They raised their family in Huguenot until they relocated to Aberdeen, New Jersey in 2004.

Always active in sports, Ben played basketball locally and refereed both high school and college basketball games, but his passion was softball.  He served as a player, manager, umpire, and league official.  As a catcher, his Dilly Dally Club still remains the only Staten Island team to be both fast and slow pitch A.S.A. champion in the same year.  From 1963 to 1996, he ran the Staten Island Softball Association which at its peak had more than 150 teams and 60 umpires in its program.  In 1974, he received the Staten Island Advance Award for Outstanding Service to Staten Island Sports.  He served as an umpire in several national A.S.A. tournaments.  In 1979, he was selected to umpire at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Since his move to New Jersey, Ben was an active member of the Community Church of Keyport, Keyport, New Jersey.

Ben was predeceased by his parents, Benjamin and Loretta Defibaugh, his sister, Loretta Defibaugh, and his beloved wife, Joan (Fence) Defibaugh.  He is survived by their four children: Rev. Dawn (William) Seaman of Keyport, New Jersey, Benjamin of Bay Terrace, Staten Island, Beth (Paul) Hand of Hazlet, New Jersey, and Susan (James) Ryan of Hazlet, New Jersey.  He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren: William (Christie) Seaman, Brian (Rachel) Seaman, Scott (Shabnam) Seaman, Michael, Florence, and John Seaman, Benjamin and Patrick Defibaugh, Daniel, Kaitlyn and Casady Hand, Alexa (Brian) Bresnahan, and James Ryan, and two great-grandchildren.  Ben will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

Arrangements were entrusted to Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 3269 State Highway/Route 35 North, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730.  In respect of his wishes, Ben will be privately cremated and laid to rest at Moravian Cemetery's Hillside Mausoleum in Staten Island, New York.  In lieu of flowers, donations in loving memory of Ben may be made to Community Church of Keyport (P.O. Box 562, Keyport, NJ 07735) or the charity of your choice.  For information or to send condolences to the family, please visit, www.shorepointfh.com.

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