This article is reprinted with permission of the Georgian College Alumni Association. The original version was included in the 2023 GeorgianView magazine for alumni, donors and friends of Georgian.
It seemed impossible to keep up with Benny Readman, his connections, and his ability to give back.
“With Benny, it was ‘go, go, go!’ all the time,” laughs Nicole, Benny’s partner. “He always, always had a list with him; people to talk to and items to accomplish, and he cherished completing it by the end of day.”
Benny was born Nov. 8, 1968, and was a presence wherever he went. Passionate, creative, and driven, people gravitated toward him. Benny was never short on words or time for others. Whether it was completing a house build, or helping show rookies the ropes, Benny invested himself in the success of others.
“Always on the go, he played on three hockey teams. One of the only times I found him sitting still, hockey was on TV, and one of the grandkids was on his chest − both of them sound asleep,” shares Nicole.
Nicole adds, “Benny would make time every week to see friends new and old and it was often on the golf course.”
In May 2021, Benny went to work and did not come home. The barge he was working on capsized without warning, claiming his life.
“Benny’s accident took him from us far too soon. Everybody who knew him was in complete shock," Nicole recalled.
“As I was trying to figure out how to honour him, a student award and golf tournament just made sense,” continued Nicole.
Trained as a carpenter, Benny worked for more than two decades with a leading custom home builder in the Muskoka region.
For the golf tournament, “I called friends, who called friends, who called their friends. No posters, no Facebook. It became an unintentional large-scale reunion. I didn’t know everyone, but everyone knew Ben.”
“He would have loved it. Benny cherished those true connections, and taking time to be with someone away from the busyness of modern life.”
From this first tournament blossomed The Benny Readman Skilled Trades Award. Created in memory of Benny, this award is meant to help students thrive by removing financial barriers that prevent them from pursuing an education in the skilled trades.
“Benny was passionate about encouraging the new skilled labourers. When fresh faces would appear, he’d give them just as much time as his own best friends, encouraging and leading them. He loved to see a passionate individual wanting to create something in the world. Even when he was supposed to be project managing them,” laughed Nicole.
“This September, we’re hosting another golf tournament for friends and family. It’s exactly what Benny would have wanted: connecting and supporting the next generation of tradespeople through a round of golf with old friends.”
