Last week, a very good friend of the council was laid to rest...
The Very Reverend Robert Benjamin Moss, of Medina, NY, passed away peacefully on March 14th, 2015 at the Martin-Linsin residence of Hospice of Orleans in Albion. Father Ben was born on July 20th, 1926, one of seven children, to Robert Spurgeon Moss and Edna May Lewis of Horseheads, NY.
After graduating high school at age 15, Ben went on to college at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY where he met his lovely wife of 64 years, Judith Lawrence Howard. He and Judith lived in New York City where he attended General Theological Seminary. He was ordained a deacon of the Episcopal Church in 1956. He led congregations in Port Leyden, NY and Silver Creek, NY before becoming the Priest at St. John's Episcopal Church in Medina, NY in 1965. He was the priest at St. John's for 21 years before retiring in 1986. During that time, Ben was very active in the community, becoming a charter member of the Medina Area Association of Churches (MAAC), a Kiwanis Club member, a Rotarian, a Theater of Performing Arts (TOPA) actor and supporting member and served for many years as the Medina Police Chaplain.
In 1986, he retired from the full time priesthood and he and Judy settled in Lockport, NY. Even in retirement, Ben was an active member of the clergy in the Diocese of Western New York. He performed many roles in the church including interim pastor, pastoral care and supply priest duties for Episcopal churches in Buffalo, Alden and Lockport, NY for 20 years of part-time priestly work. During his time in the work of his Lord, he shepherded the lives of hundreds and he touched the lives of thousands. During his entire adult life, Ben was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Chaplain for Camp Dittmer in Central New York and was awarded the Silver Beaver for his long standing service. He eventually moved back to Medina in 2007 and has been residing three blocks from his original home in town since then.
He is survived by his wife, Judith of Medina, NY; all four of his children, Melinda (Scott) Abriss of East Northport, NY, Robert Moss and Paul Lee of NYC, NY, Katherine (Raymond) Parker of Valders, WI and Lawrence (Leslie) Moss of Medina, NY. Also surviving him are four grandchildren, Raymond IV and Rory Parker and Rachel and Jessica Abriss. He is also survived by his sister, Hazel (Howard) Baldwin of Englewood, FL and several nieces and nephews.
His family will receive friends on Friday, March 20th, 2015 at the Cooper Funeral Home, 215 West Center Street in Medina, NY from (4-7 PM) and Saturday (9-11AM) at Christ Episcopal Church, 7145 Fieldcrest Drive, Lockport, NY, where he will Lie in State prior to Memorial Eucharist and Burial at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ben to Christ Episcopal Church or The Martin-Linsin Residence/Hospice of Orleans in Albion, NY.
