Delaware says farewell to one of its leaders

A crowd of over 200 people packed the auditorium of Woodbridge Middle School Sunday, to bid farewell to the man that protected them as marine and state trooper, then represented them for 21 years in state legislature, Ben Ewing. 

Ewing passed away last Tuesday after being struck by a car while walking on Federalsburg road. 

“He would probably say something like keep on living because that’s the way he did, he lived every day to the fullest,” said his middle son Rick Ewing, when asked what advice his father would give to those who are grieving. 

Ewing also shared a side of his father that the public did not see. 

“He was a family man, we did many family things together and that is going to be the hardest part. That’s what we’re going to truly miss. The time that we spent with him personally,” Ewing said. 

Among those in attendance was current Rep. David Wilson, who replaced Ewing when he stepped down in 2008.  Wilson said Ewing was a mentor to him, but said one of his fondest memories of him came outside of politics. 

“He had coupons I always remembered before I even considered being in the legislature, he had little coupons about the size of a business card and he would hand those out to people and they were called hug cards and he’d say ‘hug a friend today,” Wilson said.

Friends and family of Ewing said he was an extremely friendly and selfless man who always wanted to help others and whose presence will sorely be missed. ?