Benjamin Franklin Eshleman, Jr.'s Obituary
Benjamin F. Eshleman, Jr. (“Benjy”) passed away on Monday, July 13, 2009.
Beloved husband of Barbara Jane Doucet Eshleman. Father of Benjamin Franklin Eshleman, III (Melissa) and Corinne Augustin Eshleman. Grandfather of Corey, Casey and Carley Eshleman. Brother of Mettha Kathryn Eshleman Rapier (Michael J.), Martha Augusta Eshleman and Sidney St. John Eshleman Thornton (Norwood). Uncle of Michael J. Rapier, Jr., James W. Rapier (Marion), Jane Rapier Spence (Jason), and George Parke Thornton. Son of the late Mettha Kathryn Westfeldt and Benjamin Franklin Eshleman, Sr.
Age 71 years. A native of New Orleans, LA and a resident of Mandeville, LA for the past forty years.
Ben was born March 10, 1938 and was raised in New Orleans, La., attended Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School, St. Leo’s in Florida, and graduated from De La Salle High School. Before serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, he attended Tulane University and was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Professionally, Ben was an owner of Concrete Controls, which produced chemical admixtures for industrial construction, and he worked with T.L. James & Co. on building the second span of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. The company had plants in New Orleans, La. and Ponce, Puerto Rico. Later, Ben became a banker with First NBC, and then was a partner in the municipal bond firm of Ladd Dinkins & Co. for many years until his retirement. Ben was a devoted Rotarian, and a Paul Harris Fellow; he was also a member of the Louisiana Club, Sons of the American Revolution, Serra Club, Pontchartrain Yacht Club, Southern Yacht Club, Lakeshore Club, and several carnival organizations. Above all else, Ben was often described as a kind and tender-hearted person, which he was.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the memorial mass at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 312 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, LA 70448 on Wednesday, July 22,2009 at 11:00 AM. Visitation from 10:00 AM until service time.
The family will receive friends at Pontchartrain Yacht Club, 1501 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, La. immediately following the service.
Interment will be at a later date in St. Louis #3 Cemetery, New Orleans, LA.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to Northlake Mandeville Rotary Club, P.O. Box 246, Mandeville, LA 70470, Covenant House, 611 North Rampart Street, New Orleans, La. 70112, or a charity of your choice.
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