Benjamin J. Hirschi

Always do the right thing, Always do your best, Always treat everyone like family
Benjamin J Hirschi passed away November 12, 2018.
Ben was born April 23, 1979 in Pocatello to Hal and Debbie Hirschi. Ben was born at a whopping 9 pounds and it was apparent from the time of his birth that he had a big heart and a warm personality. He attended Wilcox Elementary, Hawthorne and Irving Junior High Schools and graduated from Highland High School in 1997.
Ben enjoyed playing many sports in his youth including football, baseball and basketball. His favorite time of the year was Christmas. Ben loved Christmas. He enjoyed telling his siblings about what presents they were getting in the hopes that they would return the same favor. Ben also was Santa’s helper for many years as he willingly volunteered to put on a Santa Suit and deliver presents to the residents at Hillcrest Haven on Christmas Eve. The spirit of Christmas lasted all year long for Ben, as he frequently provided kind words, support in many forms and words of encouragement to his family and friends, his firefighter brothers and sisters, and others he did not know at all. Ben’s favorite band is Pearl Jam and his favorite college football team was the Michigan Wolverines and his favorite professional football team was the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ben worked for his grandparents at Hillcrest Haven Convalescent Center, ShopKo, and Mower Office System before settling into his career as a firefighter. His first firefighter job was working for the BLM before he was hired on to work for the City of Blackfoot Fire Department in 2002. Ben’s leadership qualities were noticed early in his career and he quickly moved up the ranks at the Blackfoot Fire Department. Ben was the Blackfoot Local Firefighter Union President prior to being offered the opportunity to serve as the City of Blackfoot Fire Marshall/Training Officer in January 2015. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration while working full time. Ben LOVED his job and being a firefighter. He loved his firefighter family and was known to occasionally pull a prank on his fellow firefighters but was notorious for providing support and helping out his firefighter brothers and sisters not only in Blackfoot but also across the entire Northwest region of the United States. Ben received many commendations during his career and in April 2018 he was honored as one of the Top 20 under 40 professionals making a difference in his community. Ben was instrumental in starting the Fire Explorer Program in Blackfoot to recruit high school students who were interested in careers as EMT’s and professional Firefighters. Ben had high professional expectations and a drive for excellence according to information from one of the 3 nominations submitted in behalf of Ben to the Top 20 Under 40 Professionals Committee. One of the signs in his office at the Blackfoot Fire Department shows a picture of firefighters in the line of duty and the saying ‘I am not here for me-I am here for We-And We are here for them.’
Ben is survived by his wife Kathryn Cooper Hirschi, his children (and pride and joy) Gavin Vedder Hirschi, Adison Paige Hirschi, Tessa Hirschi and Kenady Hirschi, Father Hal Hirschi, Siblings Mike Hirschi, David (Brandi) Hirschi, Heidi (Jeff) Moser, and Elizabeth (Charlie) Misner. He is also survived by 9 nephews and 17 nieces that dearly loved and admired their Uncle Ben. Ben has a big extended family that survives him including aunts, uncles, cousins and his Firefighter family. He was preceded in death by his mother Debbie Norton Hirschi, cousin Jeremy Hirschi, grandparents John and Lois Norton, Keith and Velma Hirschi, as well as great-grandparents Beth Kinghorn, Violet Spillman and Esther Norton.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Monday November 19, 2018 at the Alameda Stake Center Chapel, 930 E Alameda Rd., Pocatello. Family will receive friends from 6:00PM-8:00PM on Sunday November 18, 2018 at Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave in Pocatello, Idaho and one hour prior to services on Monday.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com
208-232-0542

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