Benjamin Mathew Zachariah was born on June 10, 1969 at Grace Hospital in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Survived by his wife Lisa, son Theo, sister Miriam, and two brothers Phil and Alex, his stepmother Saro, and stepfather Janos Kirz—those who knew Ben would agree he was one of a kind, and the world is forever changed since his departure.

A passionate individual, Ben held a deep appreciation and profound love for his wife, family, friends, and pets, as well as a great love of music. Certainly, Ben pursued a beautiful life, which was indeed well-lived. Ben lived life more fully, sang more loudly, and rocked out harder than most—all while embracing and captivating everyone who had the pleasure of crossing paths with his lively aura and being brought into his joyful sphere of existence. A devoted sports fan of the NY Yankees, NY Football Giants, Edmonton Oilers, LA Lakers, and a true fan and aficionado of music across every genre, Ben radiated a contagious energy, the glow of which we were fortunate enough to stand in for even a brief time.

In 1975, Ben moved to Long Island, NY, a place he would claim as his root “home” for the rest of his life, with his mother, Regina (Gina) Moreno, and older sister, Miriam, by whom he was raised. Ben lived with his family in several different homes in the 3-village area of Suffolk County, graduating from Port Jefferson High School in 1987. In addition to displaying evidence of his many musical talents early on, Ben was an accomplished athlete in tennis and basketball, and he expressed most pride in his having been the quarterback for his high school football team during his senior year. Ben’s family grew when his father, Mathew Zachariah, married Saro, a loving new parent, and Ben became big brother to Phillip and later Alex. Ben was a giant presence in their lives, and they both sought to emulate him in different ways. Gina later married Janos Kirz, who remained a quiet but steady support to Ben since high school.

Ben attended several post-secondary institutions, including SUNY Cortland, SUNY Buffalo, and the University of Calgary. A proud of member of AEPi, Ben went on to earn a degree in Spanish Language, and Literature from SUNY Cortland. He moved from Buffalo back to his birthplace of Calgary in 1994, where he worked as a youth counselor for the Calgary Boys and Girls Club. He returned to New York City in 1998 and began what would become a long and rewarding career in print media sales. Ben would speak fondly of his time in New York—a city that shaped his formative years—where he found an outlet for many of his passions, intellectual pursuits, and creative endeavors.

Ben has one son, Theodore Zachariah, his mini-me, with his former wife, Annetty Romero, with whom he shared his innate charisma and love for music. He also deeply loved his sister Miriam’s children Joshua and Micah.

Ben moved to Southern California in 2004 to work at Variety in the coveted position of Senior Sales Executive. In 2006, Ben became the Associate Director of National Advertising at the LA Times, one of his proudest career achievements.

Throughout his continued success in business, Ben maintained a love of music and mastered several instruments through self-instruction, school, and lessons. Musically inclined and hailing from a family steeped in natural musical talent, Ben shared in his late-mother’s love for vocal expression. Although voice was his true passion, Ben expanded his musical repertoire and instrumentation as he mastered the guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, and harmonica.

In 2010 Ben found his happy place and “sweet home” in Hermosa Beach, CA. Embracing everyone with one of his classic-Ben bear-hugs, he quickly became a staple and icon to the community and a friend to everyone in it. While still working his corporate job by day, he found solace in the Hermosa Pier music scene. Ben then further enlivened South Bay music culture by taking part and performing himself. Playing as lead guitar and providing lead and back-up vocals, Ben graced the stages of virtually every local venue—entertaining everyone with his sick guitar riffs, super loud amp, and a bold voice that could carry a tune over all other sounds. From roof-top jams and deck sessions with close friends, Ben went on to form and play in several bands including Señior Management, The Shit Show, 86 Proof, The Fun Side, and Ben & Joey–Not the Ice Cream. Ultimately, Ben found his permanent musical home with Angry Donkey, a local cover band for which Ben was well-known as a founding member, along with his dear friends Rob, Arnold, and Joey. Despite the silly name, the group became a beloved hobby to Ben that allowed his passions to shine. While maintaining his musical pursuits, Ben retired from the corporate grind in 2022 and began working for the City of Hermosa Beach. Working with local kids in the afterschool P.A.R.K. program, in the Parks and Recreation Department, he loved every minute, and getting his steps in was an added bonus.

A passionate individual, Ben was a rock for his South Bay family and a pillar in the community of Hermosa Beach. He pursued his own happiness with admirable tenacity. This culminated in what can only be called a match made in heaven when he found his greatest treasure, his wife and partner, Lisa Jacobs, in 2009, and they tied the knot in 2017. Ben devoted his gigantic heart to his wife, Lisa, his family, his SoCal friends who were adopted as family, and his fur babies— Frankie, Max, Guinness, and Robin Williams (AKA Robbie, AKA “the Bear”).

Ben was a student of the universe and always sought improvement and growth while holding tight to his loved ones. With their full support, Ben continued to pursue his passions, even during his midlife and adulthood. In 2022, he began taking voice lessons to improve his technique and further pursue his passion to perform as lead vocalist, and he graduated in the 2024 Leadership Hermosa class.

Ben had a palpable joie de vivre that readily extended and emanated throughout his circle of influence. A highly intelligent and insightful person, he was full of creative ideas and thoughts to share. As a dear friend and family member, when called upon to support others, Ben was always willing to help, and he did so with great compassion, consideration, and care. Above all, Ben’s joyful and spirited energy served as a constant and profound reminder to everyone that life is about having fun. And so, it is with his spirit in mind, that we encourage you, as Ben would, to keep the music playing, keep rocking out, and live life and have fun in his memory…. SHOTS! 

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