Benny Carson was third longest living person with
cystic fibrosis in the United States
By Chris Butler
staff writer
JENSEN BEACH--Benny Carson was a respected business
owner along the Treasure Coast, one whose Sunrise Surf
Shop on Hutchinson Island has long been known as a
destination hot spot for local surfers.
But for all his satisfied customers and business
clients, not once was he ever able to shake any of
their hands.
He couldn’t risk getting an infection.
On Sept. 19, cystic fibrosis claimed the life of
Benny, a 25-year Sewell’s Point resident, and, at age
50, the third longest-living person with the disease
in the United States.
Throughout their lives, many CF patients are unable to
work, with many living on disability payments.
But Benny worked.
In all of his 50 years, Benny never allowed CF to take
away his determination to live a productive and
fulfilling life.
And until the very end, many people never knew he was
even stricken with the disease.
Last weekend, hundreds turned out for a memorial
service at Indian Riverside Park to honor the memory
of a man, who, according to his cousin, Carol Carson
Evans, never wanted to be treated any differently than
anyone else.
Benny was diagnosed with CF, a hereditary disorder
blocking the pancreatic ducts, intestines, and
bronchi, at age 5.
CF patients, at that time, Ms. Evans said, weren’t
expected to live beyond age 12.
But because of new medicines, as well as the advent of
lung transplants, the average age of death for a CF
patient is now 32.
But from the beginning, Benny refused to accept the
statistic, Ms. Evans said, adding her relationship
with Benny was “more like a brother and sister than as
cousins.”
His determination only grew after the disease claimed
the life of someone close to him.
The death of Benny’s brother, Terry, 25, in 1977 from
CF strengthened his resolve to live a life on his own
terms.
“When Terry died, Benny told his father that he would
beat CF,” Ms. Evans said.
To beat it, he decided he would strive for the best
physical fitness he could achieve.
After opening Sunrise, Benny began working out,
running miles and lifting weights, in addition to
waking up at 6 a.m. to practice breathing exercises.
Benny never appeared sick, Ms. Evans said.
In addition to a strenuous physical routine, Benny had
other matters to occupy himself with, particularly his
new surfing store.
Benny’s father, who calls himself Benny B, said he and
his son ventured into uncharted territory when they
bought the store in 1977.
Benny, Mr. Carson said, persuaded his father to
purchase the small business with him, a business that
blossomed with the Carsons at the helm.
“But to be honest, we both went into this business
knowing nothing about it,” Mr. Carson said.
“But the customers were the ones that made the
difference,” he said.
“We loved them and, for 25 years, they loved us, and
still do,” Mr. Carson added.
Despite Benny’s best efforts, the most strenuous
physical and breathing exercises could only do so
much.
On a recent hospital visit, Benny was told he had
about 10 percent of his lung capacity remaining.
But for Benny, who weighed 175 pounds and had a chest
larger than the average CF patient, there was hope in
the form of an adult lung transplant in Cleveland.
Days before he died, Benny was positive and upbeat,
and couldn’t wait to begin breathing again, Ms. Evans
said.
But on a Saturday, Benny’s health took an unexpected
turn for the worse.
He died the next day.
Benny had no wife or children, but he left a legacy,
Ms. Evans said.
“This store (the Sunrise Surf Shop) was his mark on
the world,” she added.
Local surfers will soon remember.
About 200 surfers, Ms. Carson said, plan a paddling
trip into the Atlantic Ocean.
Once there, they will say a prayer for Benny and throw
flowers into the waves, which still must subside after
two hurricanes hit the area.
Ms. Evans and Mr. Carson say Benny was always an
unassuming man.
“But he’d truly be surprised at just how many peoples’
lives he had touched, Ms. Evans said of her cousin.