Benjamin F. Vaughan III

Benjamin Vaughan, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025.

Born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, and raised in Providence, Rhode Island where Ben spent his early years, he attended Moses Brown School and Providence Country Day School, before continuing his education at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. While in high school, he participated in and developed a lifelong love for amateur wrestling. He went on to study at Brown University where he competed as a member of an award winning crew team, and then completed his degree at Babson College in Massachusetts. After graduation, Ben began a long and successful business career that spanned the fields of advertising, marketing and, later, finance.

Ben’s love and admiration of his grandfather, Brigadier General Frederick B Kerr, remained with him all of his life. Some of his dearest memories were of summers spent with him in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. Following in the proud tradition of his grandfather, Ben answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Marine Corps. His military service became a cornerstone of his life and reflected his enduring respect for history, honor, and his country. A proud Marine, he carried those values throughout his life and shared them freely with his family and friends. He was also a devoted longtime volunteer at the Veterans Hospital, a role he cherished deeply.

A simple man of quiet strength and deep humility, Ben had an infectious laugh and a gift for storytelling that brought joy to everyone who knew him. He had a lifelong love of jazz — often the soundtrack to his days — and an abiding appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. Ben could often be found in his favorite chair reading historical war novels or the news of the day in The Wall Street Journal. His family will always remember him drumming or tapping his fingers while joyfully whistling along to a tune in his head.

After many years in New Jersey, Ben moved to Osterville on Cape Cod with his wife, Debbie, where they enjoyed the beauty of coastal living and the company of dear family and friends. Eight years ago, tired of the winters on The Cape, they settled full-time in The Grove in Boynton Beach, Florida, where they continued to live surrounded by warmth, laughter, and love.

Ben and Debbie became deeply involved in the community at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Boynton Beach, finding friendship, purpose, and a shared sense of faith there. Ben was a man of quiet but steady faith. Over the years, he served in many ways—as an usher, a lector, and a compassionate hospice volunteer —always offering his time with humility and kindness. Above all, he cherished the moments spent surrounded by his family, which brought him his greatest joy.

He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Deborah Vaughan; his former wife, Inna Vaughan; his children, Douglas Vaughan and his wife JoAnn, Stuart Vaughan, and Kimberly Jamer and her husband John; his step-children, Robin Prater and her husband Mark, Pamela Donfield, and Christopher Sala; his grandchildren, Sarah Galicki and her husband Andrew, Benjamin and Abigail Jamer, Morgan Fields, her husband John, and her children Ashelyn and Lawson; his step-grandchildren, Amanda and Andrew Prater, Katie, Claire and Kelly Donfield, Zach, Evan, and Emma Sala. He is also survived by his devoted dog, Ollie, and excitedly welcomed his first great grandchild, Genevieve Galicki, this past year. He was beloved by them all.

Those who knew Ben will remember him for his kindness, his humor, and his unwavering love and devotion to his family. He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, compassion, and stories that will continue to be shared — often with a smile — by those who loved him most.

A private funeral service will be held at St. Mark’s Church followed by a celebration of Ben's life on December 10th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to “Wounded Warrior Project”.