Benjamin F. Trimble Sr

Benjamin F. Trimble, Sr. of Southampton raced his final lap, Monday, June 6, 2022. He was 94. Benny was a first-generation Irish American; the only child of Alexander Trimble of Bryansford, County Down, and Kathryn Franklin of Philadelphia. He grew up in the Oakdale section of Hainesport, and attended Mount Holly High School until he was asked to leave for riding his horse, Tony, through the hallways. At 17, Benny convinced his mother to sign for him to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He underwent Seabee training and was immediately sent to the Pacific Theatre. While there, he and his fellow troops helped support the Marine Corps during the invasion of Okinawa in the Spring of 1945. He was one of the first American forces to enter Hiroshima after the atomic bombing. Following his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Benny moved to Florida where he trained as a race car driver and mechanic. With the onset of the Korean War, Ben enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps to once again serve his country. In 1954, after earning the grade of Sergeant, Ben returned to New Jersey and civilian life. He began building and racing midgets and TQs in the 1950s at New Egypt Speedway, Wall Stadium, and Atlantic City Convention Hall. In 1966, one of his builds earned him the “Best Engineered Car Award” in the National Rod and Custom Show in Hartford, Connecticut. He opened his first auto repair shop, the Mill Street Garage, in Mt. Holly in 1958. A master mechanic and businessman, he went on to own Mt. Holly Yamaha in the 1970s, followed by multiple gas stations and auto repair shops in the Mt. Holly and Southampton areas. He also worked as an arbitrator for N.A.D.E and Commonweath Auto Auction for over 25 years. He was widely sought after and respected for his ability to diagnose and fix anything with an engine. All the while he pursued his passion as a race car driver, racing everything from stock cars to three quarter midgets where he made his mark as a fierce competitor and innovator of the sport. Benny continued to actively race well into his 80s. Ben was one of the founders of the South Jersey Enduro Riders in 1963. He served as the club’s president for the first 10 years, and started the Curly Fern Enduro in 1967. He obtained his private pilot’s license in the early 70s, flying his own Cessna for many years, and later repairing and flying vintage WWI and WWII aircraft at airshows. In the early 80s he earned his license as a horse trainer, and enjoyed many years working with Standardbreds at Warren Cameron Stables in Southampton. In 1994, at the age of 67, he bought his first Harley Davidson, and spent many summers riding the back roads of New Jersey. He was a self-taught musician and played guitar his entire life. He spent hours playing along to tapes of his hero, Chet Atkins, whom he eventually got to meet. One of his greatest joys was dressing up as Santa Claus, a tradition he started with his own children. He would later go on to play the role at the annual Mt. Holly Township Police Department’s Holiday Celebration for the F.W. Holbein School for many years; and for the grandchildren of friends until he was 92. He was a member of the Mt. Holly Moose Lodge #737, Medford VFW Post 7677, the American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association (ATQMRA), and The Quiet Birdmen. A resident of Southampton since 1974, he served on the Township’s Zoning Board in the early 80s. His most recent honor was being selected as the Grand Marshal for the Township’s 143rd Annual Memorial Day Parade. Unfortunately, due to his declining health, Benny was unable to participate. Ben is survived by his wife of 58 years, Julianne; and four children: Benjamin F. Trimble II (Dana), Michael Trimble (Evelyn), Shannon Trimble, and Kelly Eid (Joseph). He was “Pop Pop” to Andrew, Jeffrey, Caroline, and Christian. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday, June 10, 2022 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM at Perinchief Chapels, 438 High Street Mount Holly, NJ 08060. A service will be held at 8 PM. A private funeral with Military Honors is planned at BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you perform a random act of kindness for a stranger, and think of Ben.

Benjamin F. Trimble Sr

September 22, 1927 - June 6, 2022