Livonia: At age 87, Richard “Dick” Bennett passed peacefully on March 28, 2024 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. He was born on April 14, 1936 in Groveland, NY to the late George and A. Gertrude (Hendershott) Bennett. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife Juanita Bennett, brother Ronald Bennett, and son Rodrick Bennett. Survived by his wife Suzanne (Schlegel) Bennett; his sons, Rick (Laurie) Bennett, Rusty (Sharon) Bennett, Randy (Anna) Bennett, and Russell (Suzanne) Bennett; step-children; Colleen (Jeff) Drake, Darlene (Sam) Bozzett, Tammy (Daryl) Lemon, and Jennifer Coffey (Ryan); also survived by many grandchildren & great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Jennifer Bennett, several step-siblings, nieces and nephews.
Dick was born and raised in the thriving metropolis of Groveland Station, surrounded, always, by family. As Juanita was told while she was dating Dick, “Don’t ever say anything bad about the Bennetts, everyone here is related to them”, a fact that was often revisited on many trips through the cemetery on Groveland Hill. He grew up making mischief and having fun with his younger brother, Ron, and bonding over their shared love of cars. Following the sudden, difficult passing of their father, when Dick was 14, their mother eventually remarried to Clarence House, and for the first time in Dick’s life, he gained a wonderful step-family. Dick graduated high school in Geneseo in 1954, having run track and played football for several years.
Dick married Juanita in 1956, with whom he spent 52 years. They raised 5 boys in the house he built on Big Tree Road. He had many jobs to provide for his family, including as a mechanic in Avon, driving an enormous truck building the Niagara Falls Power Station, and a decades-long career at Gleason Works in Rochester working with their gear-cutting machines. Through his position at Gleason Works, he traveled to such exotic places as Detroit, the UK, Germany, and Belgium. In his time at home, he was often found helping his neighbors and others who called on him in their time of need. He was also, for a time, a member of the Civil Defense.
When his boys were nearly all grown, he took on the challenges presented by the Livonia Volunteer Fire Department. As a Life Member, Dick spent decades in active service, which eventually led to his position as Livingston County Fire Commissioner. His time spent training, fighting fires, and spending time at the firehouse made the Fire Department a large, greatly loved, part of the second half of his life.
He treasured his time with his family. While his time with his sons wasn’t as plentiful as he may have wished, he was able to coach Little League baseball and find the time to go to their games, concerts, parades, and other events when he could. One of his greatest regrets was not being able to spend more time with his children when they were young. As his boys began to have families of their own, he also loved his grandkids. He was known to joke that “If I knew how much fun the grandkids would be, I would have had them first.” He enjoyed the time spent with them, and spoiling them, for the rest of his life.
Following the loss of Juanita, through which he relived the heartbreak of losing his father, he spent a few difficult years living with a palpable sadness. In time, he grew closer to and eventually married the second love of his life, Suzanne. For the second time in his life, he gained a wonderful step-family. His expanding love for his new daughters and a trove of grandchildren and great-grandchildren were an additional source of joy for him throughout the rest of his life. As Dick loved and was loved by his new step-family, so was Sue by the sons and grandchildren she gained. Dick and Sue were able to share over a decade together, full of happiness that Dick could never have seen coming, for which he was truly blessed.
Altogether, Dick Bennett could be described by his many friends and family as a good, hardworking, loving man, who will be dearly missed.
A Memorial Service to Celebrate Dick’s Life will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, April 10th, at the Lakeville United Church of Christ, 5687 Big Tree Road, Lakeville, NY with Fireman’s Honors. Burial will be held privately at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Geneseo, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Livonia Fire Department, PO Box 151, Livonia, NY 14487. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com