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Obituary for Benjamin S. Toland, Sr.
Homegoing Services Sunday August 16, 2015
Covenant Fellowship Church 1 Fellowship Drive Glen Mills, PA  19342Â
Viewing 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Celebration of Life 4:00 p.m.
Interment will conclude privately
THE LIFE OF BENJAMIN S. TOLAND
Benjamin Stephen Toland, Sr. was born February 27, 1970 to Samuel and Deborah Toland at the Women’s Medical Hospital in Philadelphia. On Thursday, August 6, 2015, God gently and lovingly guided him to his heavenly home. He was raised in Philadelphia and then moved to Bensalem, graduating from Bensalem High School. He worked briefly at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in Philadelphia. He then furthered his education at the Swenson Skill Center and JFK Hospital where he became a successful and beloved LPN nurse. Benjamin worked diligently at Mercy Douglass Nursing Home, Roxborough Hospital, Private Agency, Cheltenham York Road Nursing Home and Rehab Center and finally the Bala Nursing Home. Ben’s loving care for his patients and their families created relationships of gratitude from families well after he was unable to work. He was loved by coworkers of all levels and was trusted as a Peer, Mentor, Advocate and Friend. Benjamin was saved at an early age at Mt. Pisgah United Holy Church of America, under the pastorate of Elder Harold Hayes Sr. where he also began his love and dedication to his Music Ministry. Ben spent many hours focused in teaching himself bass and piano after being introduced to guitar by his father. In time, he mastered organ, keyboards, drums and bass. Ben played for many U.H.C. choirs including Northern District, General Church Mass and Eastern PA District choirs. Ben played various instruments during his years at Bensalem High School for the Gospel Choir, in school plays, in various bands and orchestra, and he sang on choirs. Ben later was led to Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church under Pastor Steven Avinger. It was at Greater St. Matthew that Ben served as Choir Director and Musician leading the Workshop Choir, Avinger Hendon Youth Choir, Youth Ensemble and Mass Choir. Ben also played outside the church for Evelyn Graves Christian Drama Ministries, Kevin Pringle and the Children of Israel, Consolation Baptist Church, First African Baptist Church Voices of Joy, Zak Williams and Purpose Ministries, CSD Gospel Choir and Youth Ministries and Philadelphia Praise Choir. Benjamin was later led to Sharon Baptist Church, submitting to the leadership of Bishop Keith W. Reed Sr., where he fell in love with and married Jennifer Katherine Hunter on August 14, 2004. Their union was blessed with Benjamin’s eldest son, Benjamin II, Jennifer’s first son, Michael, and their two children - David and Laila. At Sharon Baptist, Benjamin served as a faithful and dedicated musician, known for spending countless hours after work drilling through music for Sunday services, humbly accepting changes and adjustments with grace. Ben’s professionalism and commitment to worship became the tone for his ministry and positively affected the many musicians he mentored over the years. Ben served the Laymen’s Choir, College Choir, Praise Team, Women of Grace, Men’s, Senior and Mass Choirs. He also served with WWOL, Inc as the Music Director for various retreats and plays. He and Jennifer also served together leading the Voices of Sharon ensemble with nightly rehearsals in their home as their children sat and listened to hours of worship and fun. Ben enjoyed spending his free time watching movies, defending his beloved Eagles football, bicycling, bowling, grilling and cracking jokes for friends and family. Benjamin suffered a severe fall in December 2010 triggering the onset of ALS. Shortly thereafter, the Lord led the family to Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA under the leadership of Pastor Jared Mellinger. Although this was the first church where Ben’s illness made him unable to serve, Covenant lovingly supported the family emotionally and financially as the difficult transition began. He was officially diagnosed in July 2011 and began a rapid decline that left him bedridden and unable to speak. His 24 hour care was provided by Jennifer and a team of nurses until his passing. However, after wrestling with God, Ben found his peace and allowed a new ministry to be birthed. He used his eye-gaze computer to begin to write profoundly transparent and deeply impactful spiritual messages of truth to the world via social media. Unbeknownst to him, the Lord had a worldwide ministry waiting to be spread through Ben’s sickness. He allowed God to use him for His glory, continued to love on his family from his bed and passed away after calling for his wife and children to come and give a final goodbye. To his wife and children, parents, and siblings, Ben was a devoted husband, loving father and faithful son. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and dedicated wife of 10 years, Jennifer K. Toland; her three children, Michael V. Hunter, David A. Toland and Laila J. Toland, his eldest son, Benjamin S. Toland II, stepdaughter: Chantell (Tilly) Williams (son, Jonah); parents: Samuel and Deborah Toland; his siblings: Dr. Dwayne Q. Bowens (Marcia), Peter J. Toland (Judy), Crystal J. Gagum (Nate) and a host of family and dear friends.
