Benjamin W. Abell, age 72, of Delmar, died Sunday, April 8, 2007 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. He was born January 27, 1935 in Leonardtown, MD, a son of the late Charles Richley Abell and Martha Alberta Wilkinson Abell. Ben was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Delmar. For over 15 years he worked as a firefighter for the District of Columbia Fire Department, where he was a life member of the DC Firefighters Association, Local 36. He was also a member of Bi-State Ruritans, Salisbury Elks Lodge, The DCFD Emerald Society, Guns & Hoses, Golden Techites of McKinley Tech High School, Eastern Shore Threshermen's Association. He also enjoyed blacksmithing at Furnace Town in Snow Hill. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jacqueline L. Abell; 4 children, Michael Paul Abell and his wife Kimberly of Pasadena, MD, Laura Altman of Wilmington, DE, Carolyn Harney and her husband John of Delmar, and Wendy Bingham of Delmar; 8 grandchildren, Blaine, Melissa, Nena, Mandy, Meghan, Marcella, Robert and Ben; 7 great-grandchildren, Sianna, Vincent, Nito, Isaiah, Javier, Selma and Donovan; brothers, Maurice, William, and Michael; and sisters, Edna, Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, Angela, Judy, Linda and Margaret. He is also survived by many brothers and sisters in law and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Charles, Joseph and John Richley; a sister, Phyllis; and a son-in-law, William "Skip" Bingham. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove Street, Delmar. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church on the corner of Bi-State Blvd. and Chestnut Street in Delmar. Interment will follow the services at Melson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Heroes, Inc., 666 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 to Washington Hospital Center Foundation/ Burn Unit, 110 Irving Street, NW, East Building-Suite 1001, Washington, DC 20010. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com .