Benjamin Ashburn Araujo died peacefully at Tufts Medical Center on February 10 following a brief illness.
Benji, as he was known by all, was born July 18, 1977, at Falmouth Hospital, the son of John Cecilio Araujo and Jo-Ann Miriam (Walker). He was the grandson of Julio B. Araujo and Mary E. (Silvia) of Tisbury and John Walker and Miriam (Dugger), summer residents of Oak Bluffs. He was raised in Tisbury where he resided his entire life.
At the age of two, he was diagnosed with a Wilm’s tumor and spent more than a year enduring treatments for his rare condition.
Benji attended the Tisbury School and graduated from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in 1998. He enjoyed landscaping, drawing, and writing poetry. He also loved spending time with his innumerable friends, many from his childhood days.
Benji’s family history on Martha’s Vineyard dates back over 100 years as he was the great great grandson of Charles Shearer, founder of historic Shearer Cottage, the oldest, continuously operating African American-owned inn on the island.
He was predeceased by his brother, Ian Christopher Araujo, in November 1996, and by his grandparents.
Benji is survived by his parents, Jo-Ann Walker of Tisbury and John Araujo and his wife Cynthia of Plymouth, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and by his fiancée, Melanie Rose and her son, Dennis Rose.
Funeral services were held at Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home on Edgartown Road in Oak Bluffs on February 17.
Donations in his memory may be sent to The Benjamin Ashburn Araujo Memorial Fund at Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank.
