Our family lost a wonderful husband, father, teacher and mentor on May 24, 2017 at the age of 82. Ben H Page was born April 23, 1935 in Francis, Utah to Lafe and Lila Hansen Page. Dad learned his tremendous work ethic working on the family farm. He graduated from South Summit High School and after serving in the US Army from 1954 to 1956, returned home to complete a degree from Utah State University. Dad taught math in Granite District for 25 years, taking time along the way to complete a Masters degree in mathematics from the University of Utah. He also worked for the US Forest Service for 60 years; his many accomplishments included building the Silver Lake boardwalk at Brighton.
Ben married his high school sweetheart Shirlene Hoyt on August 16, 1956 in the Salt Lake LDS temple. Together they raised four children; teaching them love, responsibility, the importance of hard work and giving back to their community. Dad coached baseball in the South Granger American WBBA league for more than 30 years. He tirelessly taught the finer points of the game and a few life lessons to his second family of baseball players. He cherished every moment he spent on the field with his teams and his 1985 World Series championship team always held a special place.
Dad was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He loved his family, puttering around his farm or his yard, fishing in Alaska and working on any project that Mom or we kids could come up with. He was at his happiest when he was ‘doing'. And for Dad, if it was worth doing it was worth doing to the absolute best of his ability. He never did anything half way or left something partially done. It didn\t matter if it meant amassing a huge baseball library to better coach his team, teaching his students, trying to outwork someone 30 years his junior in the fire warehouse, building a shed or a barn, or any number of other endeavors. You always got the best he could give.
Ben is survived by his loving wife, Shirlene and their children LaRoy (Cindy), Diana (Mark) Hatfield, Kathy (Michael) Fitzgerald, Sheryl (Ben) Antonucci; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Fern Wittemund and brother Lynn (Linda) Page. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ivan and Revell and sister Myrla Snyder.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. in the Cedar Breaks Ward Chapel, 5635 South 2200 West, Taylorsville, Utah. The family will meet friends on Tuesday, May 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the church and Wednesday, May 31 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Gravesite dedication and interment in the Francis, Utah cemetery following the funeral services.
The family would like to thank Legacy Healthcare for their thoughtfulness and excellent care.
Its time to rest Dad. We are sure there is a baseball team in need of a coach or a quiet fishing hole waiting for you.
