Obituary for Benjamin Karpinski
Benjamin Karpinski
December 31, 1984 - April 14, 2023.
Ben fought very long and hard to live better. He struggled with mental illnesses and heroin addiction ...
and he never stopped trying. He was beautiful and artful ... and made many smile and feel loved.
He has left behind family and friends who love and miss him more than words can express.
Through-out his life, he enjoyed so many kinds of music. Musical artists special to him included: the
Grateful Dead, Phish, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten, Medeski, Martin, & Wood. Every year, he especially
reveled in the festivities of Halloween. As a kid, it was funny how he would organize his candy treasure
over and over again, but rarely had interest in eating it. Traditional Easter Breakfast of kielbasa, ham,
bacon, beets w/horseradish, Slovak egg-cheese “sedegg” , and Easter paska bread was something he
loved ... and would not miss. He frequently enjoyed watching anime animations - such as Naruto. Some
may remember back to when “Pokémon GO” had Ben walking and driving all-over just to collect
Pokémon on his phone.
Ben’s Glasswork Artistry was an inspiring part of his life. He created many beautiful glassworks ... and
sought out the best artists to expand his expertise. At Corning Glass, he received hands-on instruction
with his most highly regarded and world-renowned glass artist. Ben was gifted and talented in many
ways. He had extreme in-depth knowledge of chemistry and other sciences, plant life, and nature. He
seemed obsessed with reading ... and expanding his knowledge about so many things. Often, with
infectious excitement, he would share information and ideas. Anyone who knew him would know that he
spoke a vast vocabulary of amazing intelligence.
Ben loved nature and spent so much time exploring. He would go on long walks with a plastic bag to pick
up trash along his path ... most recently during walks with his son. He was often swept away by his
interests. Recently, he studied and created many terrariums. Ben loved his boys and watching them
grow up. His love of collecting rocks was passed on to his son ... and most recently expanded to
gathering other items such as plants, mosses, sticks, bottles ...which could eventually become part of his
terrarium creations. Those who knew him ... knew of his interest in mushroom, ferns and mosses ... and
his many shared expressions of philosophy. You may have heard him say: “These are not my monkeys
... this is not my circus”. He was broadly read and studied in spiritual pathways and philosophy. He
would hike to property of the Monk’s to meditate in peace and solitude.
As was his desire, Ben’s cremated remains will become one with nature at private family remembrances.
He particularly expressed excitement about a special biodegradable urn that could be planted beneath a
small tree - ashes back to nature nourishing a growing life.
Because Ben spoke highly of the care provided by the Warming Station in Middletown, NY. Instead of flowers
in his memory, he would have suggested a donation to be made to the Middletown Interfaith Council Warming Station, 8-10 Mulberry St., Middletown, NY 10940 or PO Box 759 Middletown, NY 10940.
“For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break
forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
— Isaiah 55:12
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