(Benny) 86, Dartmouth, died peacefully at Dartmouth General Hospital on Monday, February 25, 2008 with his wife and daughter at his side. Born February 11, 1922 at Grand Bank, Newfoundland, he was the son of Capt. Thomas B. and Frances (Hillier) Welsh. He was also predeceased by brothers: Stephen, Clayton, George "Max" and Clyde; sisters: Rosila and Beatrice. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He joined the British Merchant Navy in 1939 as a young man of 17 at the beginning of W.W. II later transferring in 1941 to the Royal Canadian Navy where he served until the end of the War. His family immigrated to Halifax in 1945 where he was discharged from active service. He apprenticed at H.M.C. dockyard and later worked at the Naval Armament Depot in Dartmouth which precipitated the family to build a home in Dartmouth in 1958. He retired after 35 years of service. In his earlier years Ben was an avid Salmon and Trout fisherman in both Nfld. and Nova Scotia, and also an avid game hunter in Nova Scotia. Most of the young children growing up in the neighborhood knew him as the "candyman" as he always had a bag of suckers for the little ones and did up until he took ill. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Sarah Maude (Dolimount) and daughter Marilyn (Bruce) Slayter; niece Roberta Welsh Snow; nephew Clayton Welsh, Honorary son and nephew Max Ruelokke; nephews: Abram, Ken Almeda, John Dolimount and many nieces and nephews. Honorary granddaughters: Angela and Laura Hamilton. Special friends: Rose, Elaine and Chris Hamilton and Sheila and Lloyd Englehutt and their sons: Peter, Michael, Robert and Danny. Special friends: Ethel and Wildred Logan. Cremation has taken place. No memorial service will take place at the request of the deceased. Private internment and service will be at a later time. Family flowers only by request. Donations in lieu may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Woodlawn United Church, Alzheimer's or a charity of choice. On line condolences may be sent to slayter.wbmf@ns.sympatico.ca. Arrangements have been entrusted to Dartmouth Funeral Home, Queen St.