Ben Paul Kanak

Ben Paul Kanak, 93, entered into God’s eternal rest Friday morning May 20, 2016 at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. For all who knew Ben, there will never be another like him. His infectious smile, gentle heart, and love for his family were evident in all that he did throughout his long and prosperous life.
He was born July 22, 1922 in Prince George, Virginia and was the youngest of the eleven children of John and Mollie (Amelia) Kanak. He lived his entire life on his family’s farm established by his parents as first generation immigrants to this country. This past year was his 75th consecutive planting on those acres, which were designated a Virginia Century Farm in 2007.
Throughout his life, Ben was known as a person of great character, generosity, and integrity, as well as an incredible businessman. Always searching for better ways to run his businesses and help others, Ben was a co-founder of Plant Food Products, a Hopewell company that produced and delivered fertilizers to local farms. Because of his great mind and business acumen, he was on many company’s boards and was the chair of First Colonial Bank (currently BB&T), all the while helping those companies grow to new heights.
Ben was a longtime bachelor, but met the love of his life, Cheryl Hale, in 1971. They were married in 1973 and spent their life together loving and working the land through joys and hardships until her untimely death in 2004. Cheryl was gone but never forgotten: Ben carried fresh flowers to her grave every Sunday afternoon.
Ben is predeceased by his wife, Cheryl Hale Kanak, his parents, John and Mollie, his brothers John, Henry, George, Dan, Bill, and Lawrence, and his sisters, Rose, Agnes, Christine, and Helen.
He is survived by his dear sister-in-law, Lonie Kanak (Lawrence), as well as numerous members of the extended Hale and Kanak families who all dearly loved him.
The family will receive visitors at the Hopewell Chapel of J. T. Morriss and Sons on Wednesday, May 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at the same location on Thursday, May 26, at 10:00 a.m. with burial immediately following in Sunset Memorial Park in Chester.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association P.O. Box 5216 Glenn Allen, VA. 23058-5216.