Benjamin Ojserkis, 91, of Margate, passed away on Aug. 12 at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, after a long illness. Benjamin was born December 19, 1918 in Atlantic City to Edith and Elias Ojserkis, and grew up in Ventnor during the Great Depression.

Ben graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1937, and from Lehigh University with honors in 1941, where he was named to the Pi Tau Sigma and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor societies. After college, he worked for the National Tube Company (US Steel Corp subsidiary) as an industrial engineer in Lorraine, Ohio where he helped design and produce, among other things, bomb casings.

In 1950 Ben returned to Atlantic City where he worked in the family business (E. Ojserkis & Sons) after his father became ill and unable to work. A short period of time later Ben met and married Anita Antinoph of Margate, with whom he has had a loving relationship for the last 58 years. In 1960 Ben took over the family business following his father’s retirement, expanding the operation to Pleasantville and later, Pennsauken and Winslow Township under the new name Sanitary Supply Specialties. Specializing in the distribution of janitorial equipment and supplies, it was the first of its kind in Southern New Jersey.

Ben was a founding board member of Standard Sanitation Systems, the first national association of sanitary maintenance distributors. Ben was also a lifelong member of the Justice Lodge F & AM and also a longtime member of the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce.

Ben loved to travel the globe with his wife, many times mixing business with pleasure. For 20 years Ben and Anita owned a condominium on the island of St. Croix, USVI where he and Anita could escape the cold New Jersey winters when possible. Ben’s always easy going personality and broad smile made him the perfect “Cruzan.”

Ben was devoted to and most proud of his family above all, and also his family business. Ben was loved by family, friends and employees for his gentle manner in both. Ben is survived by the love of his life, his “roommate,” best friend and wife of 58 years, Anita Antinoph Ojserkis; three sons and their wives (his “DILs” whom he considered the daughters he never had) Bennett (Janice), Charles (Jill) and Daniel (Amy), all of Linwood; his seven grandchildren, Rachel, Rebecca, David, Ben, Max, Sam and Mimi, and a brother, Maurice of Egg Harbor Township.

Funeral services were held Sunday, August 15th at Congregation Beth Judah, in Ventnor. Interment was in Beth Kehillah Cemetery in Egg Harbor Twp. Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Beth Judah.

Arrangements were by ROTH-GOLDSTEINS’ MEMORIAL CHAPEL, Atlantic City.

www.rothgoldsteins.com