Bengt “Ben” Eric Hellberg, 74, of Worcester, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Despite facing serious health challenges in recent years, Ben’s unwavering courage and ability to greet life with a smile left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Born on October 17, 1950, in Worcester, Massachusetts, Ben was the son of the late Louise (Benson) Hellberg and the late Bengt Hellberg. He graduated from Burncoat Senior High School class of 1968 and later pursued his studies at Quinsigamond Community College.
On February 17, 1973, Ben married Jeanne Peterson, his high school sweetheart and the love of his life. Their love story began as prom dates and blossomed into a lifelong partnership. Together, they raised two cherished daughters, Emily and Greta, nurturing a legacy rooted in love, resilience, a strong work ethic, and the enduring value of family.
Ben wore many hats throughout his life—both literally and figuratively. For 19 years, he worked at Johnson Steel & Wire before becoming a landscaper at Keating Enterprises and later a delivery driver at Peterson Oil, eventually transitioning to an office role there.
In the early 1990s, a life-changing inheritance brought a new chapter to Ben’s journey. He became the proud innkeeper of the Elmdale, a guesthouse at Hampton Beach. With Jeanne and their daughters by his side, they ran the inn for nearly a decade, forging unforgettable memories. In 2001, Ben sold the Elmdale and opened Ben’s Beach Supplies & Gifts, where he found joy connecting with customers and sharing his love for Hampton Beach. After closing the store in 2013, he later joined the Hampton Beach Chamber of Commerce, working there for several summers until his health required him to step back.
Ben was a true legend among those fortunate enough to know him. He had an incredible gift for making people laugh and offering sage advice. Whether fixing anything with his skilled hands, curating his eclectic music collection, which he loved sharing, or enjoying Red Sox games as a lifelong season ticket holder, Ben brought enthusiasm and joy to all he did. Above all, he treasured his friends and family, especially his three beloved granddaughters.
Ben is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Jeanne; his daughters, Emily Moquin and her husband Nathan of Framingham, and Greta Maseillo and her fiancé Anthony Cappelletti of Holden; his "bonus" daughter Zalina Baskaty of Billerica; and his adored granddaughters, Olivia, Ella, and Neeve, along with his granddog Rosie.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 3-6 p.m. in Nordgren Memorial Chapel 300 Lincoln St. Worcester, MA 01605. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton will be at a later date.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Ben’s exceptional care team: Dr. Shyam Patel (UMass Memorial), Dr. Daniel DeAngelo and Dr. Frederick Tsai (Dana-Farber), Dr. Stephen Zucker (Brigham & Women’s), Dr Ingrid Fuller (UMass Memorial), and the compassionate nurses and staff at the UMass Memorial Infusion Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ben’s memory may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 22324 New York, NY 10087, givenow.lls.org , honoring his resilience and the dedicated medical teams who cared for him.
Ben’s sense of humor, wisdom, and boundless love will be dearly missed but forever cherished by all whose lives he touched.
For directions or to leave an online condolence message, please visit Nordgrenmemorialchapel.com and click link.