Benjamin  “Ben” Leo Mahre, 63, passed away  on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 in an accident while working on his family farm in Sunnyside, doing one of the many things that he loved. Ben was born in Sunnyside to Leo Mahre Jr. and Vera (Olson) Mahre on November 14, 1952. He graduated from Sunnyside High School. He served as a medic in the Navy, worked as a journeyman plumber in the Seattle area for several years, and served as Worshipful Master of the Phoenix Masonic Lodge in Sumner Washington, before returning to Sunnyside to help run the family farm last year. In 1978 he married Virginia Tolman, also a graduate of Sunnyside High School. Together they raised three daughters: Amy Cory, Brenda Geffert, and Crystal Sandoval who gave him five grandchildren. Ben will be remembered for his enthusiastic personality, love of gardening, and great passion for Seattle sports teams. He loved helping those in need, working on the farm, and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his mother, Vera, his three daughters, 5 grandchildren and 7 siblings: Barbara McCarthy of Sunnyside, Vicki Scheenstra of Sunnyside, Elaine Rossmiller of Corbett, OR, Jane Childers of Boise, ID, Paul Mahre of East Wenatchee, WA, Shirley Holcomb of Spokane, WA, and Chris Mahre of Grand Junction, CO. He was preceded in death by his father, Leo Mahre Jr.