Benjamin Charles Granderson

Benjamin “Ben” Charles Granderson, passed away on April 7, 2019 at his home in Catonsville in the presence of his loving family, after a year and a half long battle with a rare genetic disease. He is survived by his father Charles Granderson, mother Lori (nee Rout) Granderson of Catonsville, brothers Bryant White and James Granderson, sister-in-law Mandy White, future sister-in-law Ayla Roda, niece May White, nephew Henry White, grandparents Dorothy Rout and Shirley Granderson-Norman, and numerous aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, and colleagues. Ben was 26 years old, just shy of his 27th birthday on May 2.

Ben lived his life to the fullest, with bravery, determination, and a unique combination of service, curiosity, inventiveness, and adventure. He became an Eagle Scout in 2010 with Troop 306 in Catonsville. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Photojournalism from the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C., in 2014, where he studied abroad in Ireland and Mexico. He was a reporter, photographer, and all-around can-do newspaperman at the Clark Fork Valley Press in Sanders County, Montana from 2014-2015. He was the creator and co-author of a major, year-long photo-documentary, “Falling in the Flowers, a Year in the Lives of American Druids,” which he completed and self-published in September 2017, just prior to the onset of the most severe of his disease’s symptoms.

Ben was fearless in his pursuit of the things he wanted to accomplish. He was thoughtful and intelligent, and was genuinely interested in and cared deeply about the subjects of his work. He was driven to succeed, and only a 110% effort and his personal best would satisfy him. He was passionate about his convictions, and was honest and forthright in sharing his thoughts and feelings. Despite this intensity, he was kind and enjoyed helping others, learning from them, and listening to and sharing their stories. Ben possessed a unique ability to transcend boundaries and connect deeply with people from all walks of life around the world—Mexican metalworkers, Irish taxi drivers, renowned artists, firefighters in Montana. He loved his friends, and he was always quick witted and laughing. Ben was an outdoorsman, especially fond of fishing, but also camping, kayaking, and hiking. He loved to cook, and if he discovered a type of food he liked, he would go all-in to learn how to make it.

Ben, most of all, was devoted to and loved his family, never missing a day to talk to us no matter where in the world he happened to be, or what time of day or night. His spirit was a beautiful light in our lives, and even as his disease ravaged him, his tenacious spirit and love shone through.

A Celebration of Benjamin's life will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019, gathering of friends and family from 12:00pm to 2:30pm and a time of remembrance will be held from 2:30pm to 4:00pm at Candle Light Funeral Home.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made in Benjamin's memory to the following: Appalachian Trail Conservancy; UM Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute - Outpatient Services