By Betty Lin
THIRTY people from the USA, the UK, Ireland, Australia, China and other places took part in a memorial gathering in memory of Benjamin Brown,33, who died of a stroke upon his visit home to Los Angeles on May 29. Eulogies were made in Gongle Yuan Park of Tangjiawan Town last Monday afternoon.
After spending 10 years in China, Ben had just arrived in the States to visit his relatives on a summer vacation from Zhuhai.
Most of his time in China had been spent as an English teacher in cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen. He also worked in the management field in Yiwu, utilising his proficiency with Spanish and Mandarin. He had been a teacher assistant in United International College (UIC) when he came to Zhuhai in 2008, and was a teacher in Tangjiawan before he went back to the US at the end of last month, according to his good friend Mark Clulow, founder of www.zhuhainights.com.
Most notably, and in the words of every person who met Ben either once or a hundred times, he was kind-hearted. He was a great lover of China -- particularly Zhuhai -- Mark said in a website notice.
The gathering was held in the small open area behind the well-known Beauty Tree, which was planted in person by Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang when he visited Tang Shaoyi (Tong Shao Yi), the first premier of the Republic of China and former owner of the park.
Jeffrey Wilkinson, UIC Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences, presided over the memorial service.
"We're here to mourn the passing of Ben Brown and also to celebrate his life and give honour to him," said Jeff.
With tears, Ben's girlfriend Lu Fen recalled the days they spent together. "These two years are the most beautiful time in my life. I thank him for giving me all of his love and bringing me happiness," she said.
They first met at the Old Chinese Junk in Tangjiawan and since then travelled a lot and accumulated a large number of photos.
"He has changed my attitude to life, and he is that kind of person that I respect and want to be," she wept.
Australian Helen Flint, a friend of Ben and Fen, read a letter from Ben's stepmother Barbara, who had created a Top Ten list of things to do together when she would see him for the first time in three years. The list from the last to the first included a hug to Ben, asking him how facebook and an iphone work, asking him to tell her everything about China and his work in Chinese, all about his girlfriend Fen and a hug again.
"I appreciate having the opportunity to share a little bit of what I am feeling with you -- and to thank you all for making Ben laugh, taking care of him, teaching him, learning from him -- and treasuring him in our hearts. You have no idea how it means to us all here. Thinking of you with love," she wrote.
John Ulrich, also known as JK, a teacher at UIC, read a letter from Ben's stepfather, Darold Gress, mother, Karen Brown, and sister Megan.
The father recalled how Ben had grown up and developed outstanding personalities and abilities. He wrote at the end of the letter:
"We truly feel that Ben had been engulfed by China. Sometimes frustrated by the different culture, he was still able to adjust and to surround himself with many friends. He had fallen in love with China and many Chinese had fallen in love with him. This combination led us to believe that Ben would live in China for the rest of his life.
Our thanks are extended to those of you who knew and loved Ben. It is most heart-warming to know that his life, no matter how brief, was shared by many kind and loving people."
Ben's father, Philip Brown, also wrote to the gathering, recalling the short years they lived together. He then said, "I revelled in his accomplishments, when he did things that I never could: became an Eagle Scout; graduated from a major university; travelled the world.
"People tell me he's in a better place. I don't know; that's beyond my realm of knowledge. But I know he's in the hearts and thoughts of his many, many friends and family, and there is no better place than that." The letter was introduced by Australian Steven Flint.
Jeremy Thomas, an Englander who has lived in Zhuhai for four years, reflected on when he met Ben for the first time and discussed the Ben Brown Defence.
"It's only in the insight that I now realise the irony of this statement because if you are a person like Ben you don't need a defence, and you don't need protection from others. Who in the right mind would want to harm such a beautiful person? Ben rarely showed any anger, bitterness or envy to others," he said
Mike Davis, Australian owner of the Old Chinese Junk, confirmed what Jeremy said about Ben.
"He used to have a drink in my bar and we used to chat. I never ever heard him say a bad word about anybody. He never ever slacked anybody off. He was a thoughtful nice guy -- he really was. Bye-bye, Ben," he choked.
"He knew he wasn't a saint, and we all know Ben wasn't either, and none of us are. He loves life and embraces life. He could be wonderful because he was such a sincere person. We're all better people because of the chance to know Ben Brown," stated Jeff.
A reception for the participants followed at the Old Chinese Junk.
媒体链接：http://www.zhuhaidaily.com.cn/text.php?ud_key=22872&ud_date=2011-06-12
