Obituary of Benjamin Joseph Lafford

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Benjamin Joseph “Benji” Lafford that occurred on January 5, 2026 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Palliative Care Unit in Sydney with the love of his children by his side. Born in Boston, Mass, he was the son of the late Ben and Helen (Marshall) Lafford. Benji was a Shubenacadie residential school survivor, an Indian day school survivor and most importantly a survivor of life. Everything he had endured in his life that tried to knock, kick or drag him down but he graciously still raised higher than what was given to him. He loved and enjoyed his life as he grew older. The most kind, humble, sweetest and gentle man that every person he met were lucky to be able to feel that from him. Benji loved pow wows and dancing since the first pow wow he danced to in the early 90’s. The heartbeat of the drum is what kept him going and moving forward. The pow wow circle and every beat is what helped heal his heart, mind and soul, even when it was tried to be ripped out of him. If there’s anything he would teach anyone, is to love, be kind and respect. He was the type of man that would give you anything at all that you need or want, even if it’s the last one and meant he’d go without. Granddad Benji truly loved his grandchildren more than his own children. He took the role seriously with everything he had. Benji is survived by his children Mary Susan (Eddy), Ekkian (Amanda), Pasmay, all of Potlotek, Santana (Blade), Eskasoni and Jason, Sipenekatik; grandchildren Harmony, Jennifer, Zachary, Evelyn, Tyson, Linden, Casey, Parker, Kylo and Willow. He is also survived by his siblings John, Harry, Roger, Andrew, Doris; Godchildren Donald Marshall Jr. and Audrey Julian; friends, best friends, he has to many to name. Besides his parents, Benji is predeceased by his children Allan, Madeline, Jacob; sister June and brothers Levi and Loyd. Survived by his 46 girlfriends, pow wow family and residential school survivors, who were his brothers and sisters forever. As he would say Nmtulis ap nitaps because we never say goodbye. Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 10th starting from 2pm until Monday, January 12th at 10am. Funeral mass will take place at Immaculate Conception Church in Barra Head on Monday, January 12th at 11am with Rev. Duncan MacIsaac officiating. Burial to follow in Immaculate Conception Parish Cemetery, Barra Head. Following will be a Salite held at the Potlotek Community Center, Potlotek. Funeral arrangements entrusted to C. H. Boudreau Funeral Home Ltd., in Arichat.