Henry “Ben” Benson Pickering Jr., of Arundel, passed away Aug. 4, 2023, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Ben was a well-known painting contractor in the Kennebunk/Kennebunkport area. He was also past president of the Pickering Foundation in Salem, Massachusetts, where his skills as a builder and painter transformed and preserved his ancestral home.

Ben was born at York Hospital in York, on Aug. 3, 1950, to Henry B. and Sylvia (Tower) Pickering Sr. In his early childhood years the family lived in Salem, moving to Kennebunkport in 1958. He graduated from Kennebunk High School and attended Dean Jr. College in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Ben is survived by: his wife, Patricia Thomas Pickering; sons, Henry B. Pickering III and Christian T. Pickering (Sarah); sisters, Judith Pickering (Brian Wormwood), Carol Pickering (Sean Donahue), and Nina Pickering Cook (Glenn Cook); brothers, Christopher “Boo” J. Pickering and Michael A. Pickering (Kathy); brothers-in-law, Mark S. Thomas (Pam) and Michael P. Thomas (Mary); sister-in-law, Kimberly Pickering; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss his humor, talent, and love for all things rock ‘n’ roll. He was able to check off a priority bucket list item by touring London and Liverpool with five of his closest friends and family in April.

A celebration of Ben’s life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, from noon to 3 p.m. at Kennebunk River Club Boathouse, 116 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport, ME 04046.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence please visit Ben’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.