Ben, as he has been called all his life, was born in Hazel Park, Michigan, the youngest of nine children. Ben graduated from St. Mary’s High School and not having the sufficient funds to go to college, he enlisted in the USAF. After 4 years and being honorably discharged, he went to school studying electronics and mathematics and after 2 1/2 years, he graduated as an Electronics Technician. He was hired by North American Aviation in California, which later became Rockwell International, and spent the next 32 years working in the space industry. With more schooling, he became an Electronic System Engineer working between California, Florida, Texas, and Mississippi. One of the proudest moments of his career was in December 1968 where he supervised his technicians’ part in the first launch of a man around the moon. Ben married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley Arlene Clary and were happily married for 57 years. They had two children, Christal Elaine (Jim) Frerking and Ronald Arthur (Denise) Corriveau. They have 5 grandchildren: Derek Johnson, Christopher Frerking, Devon Frerking, Melina Corriveau, and Travis Corriveau. They also have 4 great grandchildren: Scott Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Jayden Frerking, and Nolan Frerking. Ben leaves two sisters, Jean Ollila and Verna Samuels, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers Clarence Sova, Marvin Sova, Francis Sova, Robert Sova, Leonard Sova and sister Ellen Cadaret. Upon retirement in 1992, Ben and Shirley moved to The Villages in Florida. Ben was a member of The National Management Association while employed at Rockwell International, a member of The American Legion Post 347, a Life Member of The South Marion/Villages Elks 2730 and a charter member of The Korean War Veterans Association 169. Ben was a longtime parishioner of St. Timothy Catholic Church, and a member of the choir that performed in Rome for Pope Benedict XVI as well as concerts at churches throughout Israel. Ben loved his family, his church and His God. He will be greatly missed by all those he loved. Visitation on Sunday February 22, 2015 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Beyers Funeral Home Chapel, Lady Lake, Florida. Prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Monday February 23, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. at St. Timothy Catholic Church, The Villages, Florida.