Donald Lloyd Bennett
1941-2021
It is with profound sadness that we
announce the passing of Don Bennett (80) of Shenstone. Don passed away
peacefully on July 12 at the Moncton Hospital with his wife, Pat by
his side. In his final days he was surrounded by his family.
Don Bennett, born March 9, 1941, was the youngest son
of Marvin and Grace Bennett of Hillsborough. He is predeceased by his
parents, three older brothers (Richard/Midge), Ed/Dot), Phil) and
Pat’s parents (Junior and Madge Milton of Albert Mines). Don
is survived by his sister-in-law Bev (Phil), Pat’s sisters
and brother (Donna, Brenda and Doug), and life-long friend, Fraser
MacDougall. Don was the proud father to son, Jeff and daughter, Chris
(David Fear) and devoted papa to his only grandchild, Sam
Garron.
Don grew up on Andy Lane in
Hillsborough. As a boy, he worked hard in Brad Steeves’
hayfield and loved to play pond hockey. Don was always a hard worker.
As a young man, he went to technical school for autobody repair. For a
short time, he and his older brother operated an autobody repair
business on Academy Street out of Phil’s garage. Don was
also an installer for Northern Electric. In the mid-60s, Don learned
carpentry while working on Guy Irving’s crew. He built
houses with Guy for a few years until he began his own contracting
company with then brother-in-law, Fraser MacDougall. To Don, Fraser
was a best friend and like a brother. Over the years, Bennett
& MacDougall Carpentry built houses from Weldon to Hopewell
Cape. Don went on to work as a carpenter at CFB Moncton (#5) until the
Base closed in the mid-90s. In his early retirement, Don kept busy
working summers at the Hopewell Rocks, while continuing to enjoy
woodworking.
Don and Pat were married at the
Albert Mines Baptist Church on February 19, 1966. Throughout their
55-year marriage, Pat and Don lived and worked around the east coast
with their two little babies. As a young family, Pat and Don returned
to Albert County and built their first home on Milburn Ave. in
Hillsborough. Together, they then built their dream house on
Taylor’s Lane. While living on Taylor’s Lane, Don
developed an interest in farming – he raised shorthorn
cattle and tried his hand at chickens. Needing more space for his
hobby farm, Pat and Don built their current home on 75 acres in
Shenstone. For many years, Don took absolute delight in being outside
and working hard with his hands – caring for his cattle,
puttering around his woodshop, cutting his own firewood, driving his
ATV and caring for the land.
While Don was a
man of few words, he was known for speaking his mind — he
often took the side of the underdog and did not suffer fools kindly
— Don always encouraged people to stand up for themselves
and to never give up.
Don loved his family and
enjoyed hard work. His wife Pat was his entire world. Don was a loving
and dedicated father to Jeff and Chris. Their childhoods were filled
with simple pleasures, hard work, lots of fresh air and a bit of mud.
Memories of their dad are filled with cross-country road trips, Sunday
drives in search of fried clams, cattle shows and county fairs,
cutting wood, building houses, three-wheel adventures and farm life.
Don was also a devoted grandfather to his only grandchild, Sam. He
spent 23 years letting Sam do all the things he never let his own
children do; spending endless hours building in the shop, making hay
and tractor rides, building a good bog with their ATVs, and shooting
BBs, pellets and arrows into the back field. Sam never went to visit
papa without packing his rubber boots.
Don’s family wishes to extend their sincere
appreciation to the exceptional care Don received in his final years,
including his family doctor and receptionist in Hillsborough, the many
specialists, extra-mural program nurses (Driscoll Unit) and
paramedics. Thanks to all the health care workers of the Moncton
Hospital, including the staff of trauma and acute care and especially
the staff of the 4th and 5th floors.
Don was a
man of few words and preferred a quiet life. It was his wish to not
have visitation or a ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please consider a
donation to the charity of your choice – or get outside in
the fresh air and plant a tree.
Arrangements are in the care of the Albert County Funeral
Home, 4130 Route 114, Hopewell Cape, NB, E4H-3K2
734-2780
www.albertcountyfh.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Lloyd Bennett 19412021..
Death notice for the town of: Hopewell Cape, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick