Clare vineyard manager Benjamin Mitchell loses short battle with cancer

After a year suffering with shoulder pain, vineyard manager Benjamin Mitchell was scheduled for a surgery, but he never made it.

The last words Clare vineyard manager Benjamin Mitchell uttered to his loving wife were “I love you”.

The 38-year-old had been suffering with shoulder pain for the past year. Tests showed he had torn his shoulder and needed surgery which he decided to schedule for after the vintage in 2024, but he never made it.

“Throughout November and December, the pain in his shoulder got worse and ended up causing pain in his back,” his wife of 10 years Johanna Mitchell told The Advertiser.

Ben, who shares two young sons with Johanna, was brought to Clare hospital by Johanna’s dad before he was transferred to the Lyell McEwin in Adelaide.

“He had extensive testing which showed he had secondary peritoneal cancer with (an) unknown primary,” Johanna, 38, said.

“The shoulder and back pain were referred pain due to the cancer.”

Benjamin Mitchell, who lost a short battle with cancer, with his wife Johanna and their two sons, four-year-old Hugo and one-year-old Thomas. Picture: Supplied by family

Doctors told Ben he was terminal and without treatment he’d likely only have one to two weeks to live.

“It was so extensive … that there was no chance of eradicating it,” Johanna said.

“They gave the option of trying chemotherapy but it would have lots of side effects and if he responded as well as he possibly could, there was a 10 to 20 per cent chance that it might buy him an extra month or two.

“Ben decided against the chemotherapy.”

He was transferred to the palliative care unit at Modbury Hospital and later the Clare hospital to be closer to his family.

Benjamin and his wife Johanna Mitchell on their wedding day. Picture: Supplied by family

Benjamin Mitchell was passionate about his work as a viticulturalist and vineyard manager. Picture: Supplied by family

The father-of-two managed to leave hospital to watch his four-year-old son Hugo at Little Athletics.

“Ever the athlete, Ben attempted to walk 800m every morning, and did this up until the week he died,” Johanna said.

“Everything he did, he gave his all and really lived by the motto go hard or go home.

“Ben was very good at cross country running and basketball when he was younger. He reached state level. But Ben would admit himself that it wasn’t natural talent that got him to that level just sheer grit and determination.”

Benjamin Mitchell playing football. Picture: Supplied by family

Ben worked as a viticulturist and vineyard manager and was passionate about sport, especially football, tennis and basketball, gardening and travelling.

“Ben was a people person, he enjoyed meeting new people and being of service to others and his community,” Johanna said.

“I will remember his infectious laugh, and his inclusiveness and his kindness.

“He had a way to make people feel welcome, and always wanted to chat and he was genuinely interested in people and their lives.

“He treated people from all walks of life with the same respect and dignity.”

Benjamin Mitchell has died after a short battle with cancer. Picture: Supplied by family

Benjamin with four-year-old Hugo. Picture: Supplied by family

Ben was 38 when he died on March 8.

He is survived by his wife Johanna, his two children, four-year-old Hugo and one-year-old Thomas, his brother Evan and wife Emily, his father Bob Mitchell and wife Karen and his mother Jill Peake and husband John Peake.

If you’d like to support the Mitchell family you can here.