Obituary of John L Bennett
John L. Bennett, 67, of Centerville, passed away Wednesday afternoon February 7, 2018 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer which he fought as a warrior until the end.
John was born in Titusville on February 26, 1950 to the late Lawrence “Larry” Bennett and Catherine “Sis” Tuck Bennett.
John was very active in sports during his high school career including wrestling, football, basketball, and pole vaulting. He was proud of the numerous varsity letters he received due to his sportsmanship. He later coached track, football and wrestling mentoring many of his future athletes.
John was a veteran having served in the US Coast Guard. He enlisted on Aug. 11, 1969 at Cleveland, OH and was honorably discharged on Nov. 3, 1972 with the rank of Boatswain’s Mate Third Class. He had served as a bouy tender and active in search and rescue missions on the USCGC “Firebush”.
John retired from Pennzoil and then became a self-employed contractor. He worked in the timber industry throughout his career.
John had also actively participated in the Titusville Lodge No. 754 F.&A.M. and with the Shriners in Erie. He was a member of the Green Acres Thursday Night Golf League and of the “Bad Hat Harry” bowling league.
John had a personality that gave everyone the ability to say and to see the funny side of things. He had a great love and concern for everyone in his life and became friends with everyone he met along the way. He was a genuine, loving, gentle soul and all that knew him were truly blessed to have him in their lives.
He loved spending time at home with his wife, his cats, and his best furry friends “Jersey” and “Bo”.
John is survived by his wife and best friend of 25 years, Lisa Davison Bennett of Titusville and his former wife, Nancy Bennett of Titusville. John was a very proud father of his children, John J. Bennett of Titusville and Autumn Faith Gray of Atlanta, GA; a very proud grandfather of Chloe and Abby Gray of Macon, GA; his sister, Kay Bennett O’Neil and companion Al Lowros of Titusville; brothers, Bruce Bennett and wife Brenda of Morgantown, WV, Ronald Bennett and wife Diane of Norfolk, VA, Paul Bennett of Virginia Beach, VA, and Danny Bennett and wife Darcy of Wattsburg; a sister-in-law, Christine Bennett of Portland, Maine.
He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Marilyn Davison of Enterprise; his sisters-in-law, Jody Davison of Oil City, Terri Davison of Tidioute, and Krista Davison of Enterprise, Kathy Foote, and Carol and Sam Roberts of Titusville; and a former son-in-law, Christian Gray of Macon, GA; as well as many loved nieces, nephews, and friends.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Larry Bennett; his step-mother, Mae Bennett; brothers-in-law, Tom Foote, Edward Davison, Ken O’Neil and Craig Adams; and his father-in-law and buddy Kenneth Dean Davison.
Family and friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St. Titusville on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM and on Monday from noon to 1:00 PM at which time the funeral service will be conducted with Mr. Mike Strawbridge officiating.
Full military rites will be held at 1:00 PM prior to the funeral service.
The family asks that memorials be made to any local Animal Shelter; to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation P.O. Box 1848 Longmont, CO 80502; or to the family.
In addition to the funeral service, a celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date.
If you wish to leave a condolence for the family, visit garrettfuneralhomeinc.com
