Ben Atkinson was born at St. Tim's Hospital (which is now called Roxborough Memorial Hospital) in 1923. 1923 is the same year that Calvin Coolidge became president and that Adolf Hitler led the Nazis in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the German government. More on that later.

In 1930, Ben started school right here at St. Mary of the Assumption and graduated in 1938. After elementary school he went on to Roxborough High.

His life would change, however, while attending Mass on Sunday, December 7, 1941. It was then that uniformed officers appeared at the doors of the church and gave the command that all Navy personnel were to report immediately to their ships. Although Ben knew something had happened he wasn't sure just what.

From 1941-1945 Ben served on the U.S.S. Converse and had many dangerous missions. On one mission 3 Japanese carriers were actually destroyed! After the war he went to work for the Philadelphia Electric Company until 1949.

In 1951 he went back to the Armed Forces and served his country in the Navy, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard. He served on various ships and held various positions such as radar operator on the U.S.S. Cutter and airborne radio controller for the Air Force in Bitburg, Germany.  He also did missile tech. work from '59-'61. In 1966 when he left the Armed Forces and went to work for Bell of Pennsylvania.

Ben has over thirty nieces and nephews including one nephew who comes to daily Mass here at St. Mary's. Ben has also been coming to daily Mass here for quite some time and is the sacristan for Fr. Jim. Ben remembers when he first came out of the Armed Forces he wasn't sure what to do and his mother suggested that he go to Mass. He was a good son and listened to his Mom but he now tells all of his friends this about Mass, "I am not sure what happens but when I leave, I just feel better!!" Ben, having you here makes us feel better, it is our honor to know you.