The following information is from the Ben Byrns Foundation (
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"Our life changed forever on February 11, 2012 when we lost our beloved son Benjamin Thomas Byrns, as a result of a accidental prescription drug overdose. Every parent wants to believe this won’t happen to them, but it can.
We have created The Ben Byrns Foundation with the mission of striving to educate and guide young adults to make good choices in their lives. We are committed to helping as many families as possible to avoid the unbearable pain and grief that will be with us the rest of our lives.
Drugs do not discriminate, they grab hold of the lives of the rich and poor, young and old, black and white. Drug abuse is a disease that affects every walk of life. The good news is anyone can recover with help.
Ben was 20 years old at the time of his death. He was an avid surfer, aircraft enthusiast, and loved animals."
The following additional information is from the Find a Grave (
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"Birth: Sep. 5, 1991
Death: Feb. 11, 2012
Mr. Benjamin Thomas Byrns, age 20, of Fernandina Beach, FL passed away Saturday morning, February 11, 2012 in Jacksonville.
He was born on September 5, 1991 in Grand Rapids, MI. At the age of 4, Ben and his family made Fernandina Beach their home. He attended Amelia Island Montessori School, St. Michael's Academy, and was a 2010 graduate of Fernandina Beach High School. Ben was currently enrolled at Florida State College Jacksonville as a sophomore. He was employed at Barbara Jean's Restaurant in Fernandina Beach. Ben loved growing up on the island with the many golf courses, which he loved to play, and surfing the waves on the beaches. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach.
Ben is survived by his parents, Ken and Laurie Byrns of Fernandina Beach, his sister, Lauren Byrns of Charleston, SC, his maternal grandparents, Tom and Marlene Spayde of Fernandina Beach, his aunts, Bonnie Grollman of Waldorf, MD, and Linda Blodgett of San Luis Obispo, CA, his cousins, Michael Blodgett, Makenzie Blodgett, Bobby Grollman, and Tania Grollman."