'BOB' THE SNOWMAN BIG HIT IN THORNHILL

HUGH BENSON HAS DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF HIS NEIGHBOURS WITH HIS CREATIVITY

Hugh Benson has drawn the attention of his Thornhill neighbours with his unconventional snowman.

His inspiration came from the cookie monster, the mountain from The Neverending Story and the ghosts from Ghostbusters.

He used recycled materials, including the lids of coffee bins for eyes, a coffee bin for a tongue, bottle caps for nostrils and egg cartons made into teeth.

Neighbourhood children started coming by to take photographs of the snowman.

Benson dug out a chair/seat so kids could sit down and have their picture taken with the snowman.

Patricia Rotman lives a few doors away from Benson in their Vaughan neighbourhood.

"One of the neighbourhood families was walking by and the little girl was oohing and awing, and (Benson) said (the snowman) just needs a name," Rotman said. "She just blurted out 'Bob'."

Rotman describes Benson as: "the neighbourhood feel-good guy".

He often helps out other seniors in the neighbourhood by clearing their driveways with his snowblower. Many are worse off because of health problems.

His neighbour's wife is recovering from cancer and he makes a point of shovelling their driveway.

Benson, 74, clears about six or seven driveways every snowfall using his snowblower.

"It's something to do. Go out and be useful," he said.

Here's where his modest attitude kicks in.

"Everybody helps in the neighbourhood. I'm nothing special."

Benson doesn't like being indoors, so the outdoors is his natural habitat.

Throughout his life, he has maintained his fitness level by being outside — playing various sports, playing at hockey rinks and swimming.

He's also created other wonders in the snow on his property. For example, he built a fort so children could hide and scare their parents.

Since he is retired, he doesn't have a lot to do and can spend time on such projects, he said.

Rotman wasn't surprised Benson had created something that contributed to the neighbourhood.

"Everybody knows him," Rotman said. "He's so nice to all the neighbours, so kind," she said. "Everybody's very appreciative. He's always chatting to the neighbours".

His creativity is not restricted to the winter months. He also puts up crazy Halloween decorations, including ghouls and goblins, Rotman said.

"His holiday decorations are loved by all the neighbours and they're always stopping by to comment ... he has Christmas and Halloween and Remembrance Day and lawn flags for every occasion," she said.

Benson was born and grew up in Toronto.

Benson hasn't been here for long. He recently moved back to Ontario in March 2020 after living in Vancouver for 40 years. After his mother died during COVID, he moved back home to Ontario.

He had moved to Vancouver for a job offer 40 years ago. In his career, he worked across Canada as a shopping centre consultant.