There was a most unremarkable occurrence on Friday 09/22/06 at 2:10am in Lafayette, Indiana. At age 84, a man passed away quietly at his home with his loving wife at his side. His name was Joseph Benjamin "Ben" Dailey Jr. I say this event was unremarkable because death is not a remarkable thing. It is as much an ordinary part of life as walking, talking, eating and breathing. It was his life that was extraordinary. He was born on December 5, 1921 to Joseph Sr. and Armecia Dailey in Norfolk,VA. He spent his early years in Manteo, NC., moved to Babylon, NY and began school. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Shubrick (DD-639), LST-28 and LST-539. His service took him around the world and he participated in several heated campaigns. He came away from the war with no obvious physical injuries, but his heart and soul were wounded. Though these wounds were deep, it never stopped him from living. On November 21, 1943 he married Carole June Huber of Elkhart, IN. and their love remained strong throughout the war and separation. After the war, Ben and Carole moved to Long Island, NY. where they lived in Babylon for a time then moved to Deer Park. Ben worked for the Long Island Lighting Company for around 40 years. During that time, he and Carole had four children: Pam, Pat, Karl and Kurt. Ben worked at LILCo while Carole was a stay at home mom raising the four children. Ben was a good father and his family never wanted for anything. He worked hard and supported his family. This caring and hard work is what was, and is, so remarkable. No, he did not invent anything or discover a cure for any disease. He was just a dad doing the best he could and living life. How do you sum up the totality of a man´s life in a few words? You don´t. You can only give a brief glimpse into it and hope it is enough. So, now the Sailor is home from the sea and a great dad and husband can get a well-deserved rest. He will be sorely missed.
Joseph Benjamin "Ben" Dailey Jr. was preceded in death by his father Joseph B. Dailey Sr., his mother Armecia G. (Wilson) Dailey and his brother Aldon N. Dailey.
He is survived by his wife Carole J. (Huber) Dailey of Lafayette, IN. and his four children: Pamela Louise (Dailey) Sawey and husband Richard Sawey of Lindenhurst, LI, NY. Patricia Jo-Ann (Dailey) Rosen and husband Arthur Rosen of Lafayette, IN. Karl Joseph Dailey and wife Jane (Travers) Dailey of Chadron, NE. Kurt Charles Dailey and wife Emily (Chapman) Dailey of Gallipolis, OH. There are 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Friends may call at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Rosen, 1744 Skyline Road, Lafayette, IN. on Sunday, October 1, 2006 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There will not be a funeral service, but there will be a memorial service in the spring of 2007.