His name is Benjamin Ehrhorn, and he was just 26 years old.

His full name was Benjamin Peter David Ehrhorn. He was from New Milford, and he passed away suddenly on Friday.

Calling hours for Benjamin will be held at Colonial Funeral Home from 5PM - 8PM today (Feb. 23). The address is 87 Park Lane Rd in New Milford, CT. You can make a memorial donation to Pivot Ministries at 485 Jan Street, Bridgeport, CT 06608.

Through a community leader, I reached out to his mother, Debra Pennywell, and asked for her blessing to write about this.

She said, "If my son's passing/addiction can help ONE person, then he will have not died in vein. Thank you. I will forever be changed. He was my Prince. I would love, and need so much, to work with you in any way I can. Thank you."

This addiction problem in Connecticut, and around the nation gets worse everyday.This is a terrible way to lose a loved one. Everyday, we read about another young soul lost too soon. I went to Benjamin's Facebook page to see his face, and what immediately washed over me is how much I seem to have in common with this young man. It brought it home for me that he had way too much to offer this world for him to have left it so soon. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. My hope is that by me writing about this, more people will talk about ways to prevent more tragic losses.


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