Benjamin (Ben) Pickett Wilson, 21, passed away suddenly March 17, 2025, in Cancun, Mexico, while on spring break with friends. Born April 28, 2003, in New York City, Ben was the son of Janet and James Wilson of Fair Haven.
Ben was raised in Fair Haven where he graduated from Rumson Country Day School and Rumson-Fair-Haven Regional High School. In 2021, Ben was admitted to the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and later selected to participate in its Business Honors Program. He was also recognized as a Founders Scholar every semester. Ben’s exceptional academic performance and competitive drive landed him a coveted slot in the business school’s highly regarded Investment Banking Workshop. Following his junior year, Ben was a summer intern at Greenhill & Co. in New York City and was excited to begin working there as an analyst after graduation.
Ben was extremely goal oriented, intuitive and hard-working. A middle school teacher wrote, “If you look up the definition of determination, you will find a picture of Ben Wilson.” As his Aunt Kathy put it, “Once Ben decided to do something, he was all in.” Ben called these traits “a positive risk-taking approach to life.” When he applied to college, Ben wrote, “I value positive risk-taking so much because it helps me be the best version of myself.”
HIs approach to life translated into so many different activities growing up. Ben loved surfing. He spent countless hours bobbing in the ocean in Sea Bright waiting for the next good wave and participated on the RFH surf team. Ben was thrilled when he “got barreled” at the Banzai Pipeline while vacationing in Hawaii when he was 11 years old.
He was even more passionate about snowboarding. He loved spending entire days carving the slopes and doing tricks in the terrain parks at Stratton Mountain in Vermont. He later took weekend trips to Chamonix and Val d’Isere in France while studying abroad. Every new adventure left a distinct impression on him.
Ben had an intense entrepreneurial spirit. In high school, he started his own internet resale business, specializing in sneakers and Supreme brand clothing. By analyzing different price data, Ben developed a much more efficient transaction model. His business eventually made over $35,000. As a reminder of his business success, Ben kept one of his first purchases, a Supreme/Fox motocross jersey, in his closet.
Ben was a skilled tinkerer with a diverse set of mechanical talents. One of his earliest projects was taking apart and reassembling his Big Ripper bike so he could bring it with him on a flight to Florida. From there, his abilities only grew. Ben could assemble, repair and even design all kinds of things – from creating an intricate LED lighting system for his desk to completely rebuilding the engine of his cherished BMW M4. He also used his 3D printer to craft various items, including an iPhone holder for his dad. With YouTube at his fingertips, Ben could fix or build just about anything.
Ben’s passion for cars and motorcycles was unlimited. He thrived on modifying his vehicles to make them faster, louder and more eye-catching. His parents’ garage resembled a mechanic’s workshop, packed with a vast array of specialized, heavy-duty tools and equipment. Recently, Ben had created a prototype for a motorcycle dashcam, and he couldn’t contain his excitement about its potential commercial applications.
Above all, Ben will be remembered as a caring and loving soul with a wonderful disposition. He had an amazing and wide-ranging “can do” attitude. He was a devoted son who loved spending time and traveling with his parents. From the beaches of the Caribbean, to the slopes of Jackson Hole, to the rolling hills of Tuscany, he loved exploring the world.
Though his life was short, Ben was determined to live the life he wanted to live. He saw things others did not, expanded every opportunity, and took full advantage of every experience. He left a distinct mark on this world in the course of his magical journey. His beautiful and complete impact on his family’s lives will last forever.
Ben is survived by his parents, Janet and James Wilson of Fair Haven, and a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. His family and friends will forever cherish his legacy of love, leadership, unwavering perseverance and humor.
Funeral Services were held March 24 at St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church, Rumson. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Ben’s memory be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the March 20 – 26, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
