AUBURN — Benjamin T. Tyler Sr., 43, of 91 West Dartmouth Street, Auburn, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday, Oct. 1, following a brief illness.

Born in Evanston, Ill., on Oct. 20, 1966, he was the son of Reginald Tyler Sr. and Gail (Hersey) Gagne. He was a graduate of Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, Class of 1984, and later received a master’s in economics from the University of Southern Maine. He joined the U.S. Navy, retiring in 2007, and then went to work for the Veterans Administration in Togus as a claims officer.

Ben was a sweet, gentle and loving person. He was an avid reader and fan of science fiction books and movies, had a lifelong love of nature and the seashore, and was very fond of his cat, “Quinn.”

Survivors include his loving wife, the former Amy Landry of Auburn; a stepson, Shawn Gallant of Auburn; parents, Gail Gagne of Newport and Reginald Tyler Sr. of Brooks; a son, Benjamin Jr. and his mother, Erica Harris of New Sharon; two brothers, Reginald Tyler Jr. and wife, Valerie, of Brooks, and Raymond Gagne of Hartland; a sister, Christina Gagne of Newport; and many nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.albert-burpee.com.