Benjamin Snow ’81

PORTLAND — It is with great sorrow that the children of Benjamin Snow announce his death on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012.

Born in Boston, Mass., on Dec. 18, 1955, to June and Nicholas Snow, Ben and his brothers, David, Mark and Jacob were raised in Detroit, Mich., in the days of Motown and an ever evolving social and political climate.

He attended Cass Tech Arts High School in Detroit and graduated in 1973. Though he specialized in jewelry design, his education there gave him skills in a broad range of media, and a taste for combining disparate elements into something new and exciting.

When considering higher education, he thought about becoming a cartographer, a railroad engineer or a sea captain. The call to the sea and the history of those who had come before him influenced his decision to attend Maine Maritime Academy. He graduated in 1981.

After 10 years shipping all over the world, Ben began a second career as a shipping agent for Chase Levitt in Portland, and eventually as the Operations Manager for the City of Portland’s waterfront. Ben was instrumental in bringing the cruise ship business to Portland and was the coordinator and facilitator in the building of Portland’s newest and biggest infrastructure project, Portland Gateway.
It is impossible to choose a single medium, specialty, philosophy, or perspective that could encapsulate or define Ben. He looked for and found meaning in everything. From a simple conversation with a child, to a professional interaction with another waterfront worker, to a loud debate about modern art or ancient European history, Ben recognized each moment, each experience, each encounter as an opportunity to look deep and extract some important truth about the world.

In the last years of his life, he worked with his usual passion to integrate the disparate parts and pieces of himself. He discovered and rediscovered his angels, battled his devils, and committed anew to a life of integrity, founded in love and expressed through art. He wrestled with truth, beauty and the bizarre nature of the world.

In the end, he died as he had lived, in a warm and inviting space that he made his own and invited others into, surrounded by beautiful things, brilliant people, love, laughter, and the best conversation.

He is survived by his children, Bethany Snow of Scarborough, and Abram Snow of Old Orchard Beach; his father, Nicholas Snow and his wife Cathy Baker of Spruce Head; his brothers, Mark Snow of Owls Head and Jacob Snow of South Thomaston, and his sister, Caitlin Clark of Spruce Head. He was predeceased by his mother, June Snow; and brother, David Snow.

A gathering to remember his life will be held at the Mariner’s Church in Portland’s Old Port on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at 2 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to his family at:75 Gorham Rd., Scarborough, Maine 04074