Benjamin Aaro Maki

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Benjamin Aaro Maki, 27, passed away on May 2, 2018, in St. Francis, Wis., due to a fatal motorcycle accident.

Benjamin was born Nov. 23, 1990, in Ashland. Benjamin graduated from Ironwood schools and went on to receive the ASME welding structural certification from Gogebic Community College of Ironwood.

Upon moving to Milwaukee, he was employed at Breunig Engineering Inc. reconstructing and restoring historic buildings until most recently was recruited to be employed at Sunset Investors Milwaukee as a machine maintenance/operator. He was pursuing an apprenticeship with Action Fire and Alarm of Waukesha. He passed his accuplacer test for the apprenticeship with one of the highest scores possible and was scheduled to appear before the Apprenticeship Committee on May 9 for his final induction into the program.

Ben had a passion for building and riding custom motorcycles, music and being in nature. He was always an empathetic and kind friend who would give the shirt off his back if someone was in need. He had a great sense of humor, was the life of the party, but was always known as one of the hardest workers to all his employers. He will be missed by many.

Benjamin will be forever loved and missed by parents, Brian Maki and Terri Maki (Paynter); sister, Tanya McGee (Maki) and brother-in-law, Brendan McGee; loving girlfriend, Tracy Edgecomb; as well as paternal grandparents, Aaro Maki (deceased) and Arlene Maki; and maternal grandparents, Bob Carlson and Carol Carlson (Chapman) (deceased).

He is also survived by uncle and aunt Bruce and Clara Maki and cousin Lana (Mueller) Maki; uncle Tom Olson and aunt Brenda Maki and cousins Katie Barto and Selena Olson; uncle and aunt Robert and Carol Paynter and cousins Brittany, Kristi and Stephanie Sordahl; uncle Richard Paynter; and uncle and aunt Chris and Traci Cherne and cousins Cory, Colin, Caleb and Caden Winter.

A memorial benefit and celebration of life was held in Milwaukee on May 5, by the friends who loved and missed him and a spiritual blessing ceremony was held in Lac Du Flambeau on May 12. Dates for memorial for friends and family to be held in Ironwood in July will be announced and posted at a later date.