Bernhard Hausy

Bernhard J. Hausy of Winter Haven, FL, known to family and friends as Ben, passed away on September 10, 2025, at age 88. He leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work and devotion to family and friends.

Bernhard was born on September 5, 1937, in Wutoschingen, Germany, the son of Johann and Josefine Schneider Hausy. He was raised on a farm and apprenticed to a butcher in the area where he trained as a meat cutter. Later, he served as a paratrooper in the German Air Force.

Bernhard wanted to see the world, so in the nineteen sixties he immigrated to Canada and found a job at a butcher shop, where he was nicknamed Ben, because his employer found it too difficult to pronounce Bernhard. Later, he lived in Bahamas, then came to the US and moved to Orlando in 1969, where he worked in a restaurant with his brother, Wilfried.

Ben and his wife, Marilyn, married in 1977 and built a life in Orlando, Lakeland and Winter Haven. Ben became a devoted father to Marilyn’s children from a prior marriage, David Larsen and Deb Esling.

Ben was a dedicated Publix employee for over 25 years and served hundreds of hours as a volunteer homebuilder for Habitat for Humanity. He found joy in sailing/boats, golf, travel with his wife and playing chess.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Gebhard, Ewald, Herold and Roland, all of whom lived in Germany. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son, David Larsen; daughter and son-in-law, Deb and John Esling; grandson, Shane Esling; granddaughter and husband, Hailey and Kevin Mulcahy; great-granddaughters, Katalina and Eliza Mulcahy; brother and sister-in-law, Wilfried and Aimee Hausy of Dunnellon, Fl; sisters, Erna Wyss in Switzerland and Waltraud Schafer of Birkingen, Germany.

Ben will be remembered for his strength, his generous heart, infectious laugh and the warmth and love he brought to family, friends and his church. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 18 at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 2425 W. Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven. Calling hour for the family will be at 10 AM, with the service at 11 AM. A reception will follow. Please email [email protected] if you plan to attend the service and reception.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in memory of Ben Hausy to Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Winter Haven.