Benjamin C. Stafford Jr., 45, of Felton, Del., passed away on Wednesday, July 6 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.

 

Stafford was born August 4, 1970, in Stratford, N.J., to Benjamin Stafford and Kathleen Holmes Stafford.

 

He was partners with his father for nearly 30 years, owning, training and driving Standardbreds, where he was well known and liked in the racing community. He won 693 races in his career as a driver and piloted quality horses such as Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund champion Badlands Jenna, Good Bet, Badlands And Art, Mudslide and Scout Hanover.

 

He also enjoyed playing golf, ice hockey, rooting for the Philadelphia Flyers, and hunting.

 

Stafford is survived by his parents, Ben and Kathy; his wife of 18 years, Christy Johnson Stafford; son, Benjamin; sisters, Lauren (Shaun) Williams and Stephanie; brother, Trever (Peggy) Donaldson; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a large extended family.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday (July 11) at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt.10), Dover. Friends may call from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Interment will be in Hopkins Cemetery, Harrington.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to adoptahorse.org for the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.