Norman L. Bennett
October 8, 1920 - August 2, 2016
Monterey
Long-time Monterey resident, Norman Lavern Bennett, 95, died peacefully at his home August 2, 2016 following a long period of declining health. A native of Boyne Falls, MI, Norman was the fifth of six children born to William Shergold Bennett and Emma Goff Bennett.
To hear Norman tell it, he had a near idyllic childhood; however, he was no stranger to hard work. Because of the age difference between himself and his older brothers, he was often the only son at home where he worked on the family farm and on those of neighbors. He also assisted his father, the manager of the local lumber yard, and groomed horses at a nearby children's summer camp. In town he helped at his friend's family's general store, and in the process learned Polish, a language that he continued to speak, even as his memory failed.
Norman was a gifted athlete with a passion for baseball where he excelled as a pitcher. At age 19, Norman had a try-out with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was offered a position on their farm team; however, an older friend convinced him that war was looming, and Norman enlisted in the U. S. Army instead. He was sent to the Presidio of Monterey for his basic training, and thus began his life-long love of the Monterey Peninsula. Although Norman had originally chosen the Infantry, the Commander of the Presidio changed Norman and all others in his unit with a high school diploma to the Medical Corps. He was promoted quickly through the ranks reaching the level of Master Sergeant, and at that time was the youngest soldier to hold that rank. He helped open the first Fort Ord Hospital, and shortly before D-Day, was sent overseas to serve at the U. S. Army hospital at Camp Poundstone in southern England.
Following the end of WWII, Norman was mustered out of military duty at Camp Crowder, Missouri where his wife, Mollie, whom he had married in 1942, joined him for a visit to Boyne Falls. It was at this time that Norman used some of his funds from the G.I. Bill to buy his parents their first home with electricity and indoor plumbing. Norman and Mollie then returned to the Monterey Peninsula and purchased a chicken ranch in Marina. While tending his ranch, Norman also worked part time at the Marina General Store and served as Asst. Postmaster.
In 1950, at the urging of his mother-in-law, Norman and Mollie sold the chicken ranch and moved in to Monterey to help care for her and to share her new home. It was at this time that Norman became a Dept. of the Army civilian employee and entered into his career in civilian personnel. The move to Monterey was followed shortly by the birth of daughter Rachel in 1954. Mollie and Norman were members of St. John's Episcopal Church Del Monte, and despite Mollie's untimely passing in 1961, Norman remained a vestryman, an acolyte trainer, and served on the board that oversaw the opening of the York School. Norman was fortunate to find love again with Monte Vista School teacher Esther Larson, and upon their marriage in 1963, he adopted her son David.
In June 1965, Norman moved the family to Verona, Italy where he worked as the Deputy Civilian Personnel Officer at Camp Passalacqua, SETAF. In 1966, his position was transferred to Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy where his son Paul was born. In April 1967, Norman was promoted to Civilian Personnel Officer for all U.S. Army casernes in the Mannheim/Worms area of Germany. In 1970, despite the D.o.A.'s urging that he accept a position in Washington D.C. for career advancement, Norman chose to move the family back to his beloved Monterey, and resumed the job of Deputy CPO at Fort Ord. Following the retirement of Fort Ord's CPO C.H. Woodbury in 1972, Norman was chosen to assume the position which also included oversight responsibilities for civilian employees at Fort Hunter Liggett, Camp Roberts, and Fort Irwin near Los Angeles.
Because of his lifetime of hard work and the diversity of his experiences coming of age during the Great Depression, Norman was a true renaissance man. He could fell a tree to the exact spot he desired, and then go inside and prepare a three course dinner. He loved music, a joy that he passed on to his children, and himself played clarinet, harmonica and accordion. With his knowledge of plumbing and carpentry, Norman spent the early years of his retirement as the neighborhood "handy-man". However, his true passion was gardening, and he was noted for keeping a beautiful yard. Norman was always a friendly face at his garden gate and delighted in chatting with neighbors as they walked by. He could be counted on for a kind word and a biscuit for their dogs. Every year he maintained the age-old tradition of hand-written Christmas cards, sending out hundreds. Always generous, he was quick to help a friend in need and donated to a number of charities.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Lawrence Bennett, Alta Walton, Victor Bennett, Julia Betty Slocum, Lillian Morgan, his first wife Mollie, his second wife Esther and his son David John. He is survived by his daughter, the Rev. Deacon Rachel M. Bennett of Monterey and his son Paul E. Bennett of Carmel Valley and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Schneiderman and his staff for their many years of caring service and Norman's dedicated and compassionate caregivers Savelina Motumanu and Florida Laume and her family for making his final years so comfortable.
A celebration of Norman's life will be held Saturday, September 10th, 2016 in McGowan House at St. James Episcopal Church, 381 High Street [at Franklin St.] in Monterey from 1:00 - 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Norman's memory may be made to the SPCA for Monterey County, P.O. Box 3058, Monterey, CA 93942-3058 or to the Hospice of the Central Coast, 80 Garden Court, Monterey, CA 93940.
Monterey County Herald on-line
October 8, 1920 - August 2, 2016
Monterey
Long-time Monterey resident, Norman Lavern Bennett, 95, died peacefully at his home August 2, 2016 following a long period of declining health. A native of Boyne Falls, MI, Norman was the fifth of six children born to William Shergold Bennett and Emma Goff Bennett.
To hear Norman tell it, he had a near idyllic childhood; however, he was no stranger to hard work. Because of the age difference between himself and his older brothers, he was often the only son at home where he worked on the family farm and on those of neighbors. He also assisted his father, the manager of the local lumber yard, and groomed horses at a nearby children's summer camp. In town he helped at his friend's family's general store, and in the process learned Polish, a language that he continued to speak, even as his memory failed.
Norman was a gifted athlete with a passion for baseball where he excelled as a pitcher. At age 19, Norman had a try-out with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was offered a position on their farm team; however, an older friend convinced him that war was looming, and Norman enlisted in the U. S. Army instead. He was sent to the Presidio of Monterey for his basic training, and thus began his life-long love of the Monterey Peninsula. Although Norman had originally chosen the Infantry, the Commander of the Presidio changed Norman and all others in his unit with a high school diploma to the Medical Corps. He was promoted quickly through the ranks reaching the level of Master Sergeant, and at that time was the youngest soldier to hold that rank. He helped open the first Fort Ord Hospital, and shortly before D-Day, was sent overseas to serve at the U. S. Army hospital at Camp Poundstone in southern England.
Following the end of WWII, Norman was mustered out of military duty at Camp Crowder, Missouri where his wife, Mollie, whom he had married in 1942, joined him for a visit to Boyne Falls. It was at this time that Norman used some of his funds from the G.I. Bill to buy his parents their first home with electricity and indoor plumbing. Norman and Mollie then returned to the Monterey Peninsula and purchased a chicken ranch in Marina. While tending his ranch, Norman also worked part time at the Marina General Store and served as Asst. Postmaster.
In 1950, at the urging of his mother-in-law, Norman and Mollie sold the chicken ranch and moved in to Monterey to help care for her and to share her new home. It was at this time that Norman became a Dept. of the Army civilian employee and entered into his career in civilian personnel. The move to Monterey was followed shortly by the birth of daughter Rachel in 1954. Mollie and Norman were members of St. John's Episcopal Church Del Monte, and despite Mollie's untimely passing in 1961, Norman remained a vestryman, an acolyte trainer, and served on the board that oversaw the opening of the York School. Norman was fortunate to find love again with Monte Vista School teacher Esther Larson, and upon their marriage in 1963, he adopted her son David.
In June 1965, Norman moved the family to Verona, Italy where he worked as the Deputy Civilian Personnel Officer at Camp Passalacqua, SETAF. In 1966, his position was transferred to Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy where his son Paul was born. In April 1967, Norman was promoted to Civilian Personnel Officer for all U.S. Army casernes in the Mannheim/Worms area of Germany. In 1970, despite the D.o.A.'s urging that he accept a position in Washington D.C. for career advancement, Norman chose to move the family back to his beloved Monterey, and resumed the job of Deputy CPO at Fort Ord. Following the retirement of Fort Ord's CPO C.H. Woodbury in 1972, Norman was chosen to assume the position which also included oversight responsibilities for civilian employees at Fort Hunter Liggett, Camp Roberts, and Fort Irwin near Los Angeles.
Because of his lifetime of hard work and the diversity of his experiences coming of age during the Great Depression, Norman was a true renaissance man. He could fell a tree to the exact spot he desired, and then go inside and prepare a three course dinner. He loved music, a joy that he passed on to his children, and himself played clarinet, harmonica and accordion. With his knowledge of plumbing and carpentry, Norman spent the early years of his retirement as the neighborhood "handy-man". However, his true passion was gardening, and he was noted for keeping a beautiful yard. Norman was always a friendly face at his garden gate and delighted in chatting with neighbors as they walked by. He could be counted on for a kind word and a biscuit for their dogs. Every year he maintained the age-old tradition of hand-written Christmas cards, sending out hundreds. Always generous, he was quick to help a friend in need and donated to a number of charities.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Lawrence Bennett, Alta Walton, Victor Bennett, Julia Betty Slocum, Lillian Morgan, his first wife Mollie, his second wife Esther and his son David John. He is survived by his daughter, the Rev. Deacon Rachel M. Bennett of Monterey and his son Paul E. Bennett of Carmel Valley and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Schneiderman and his staff for their many years of caring service and Norman's dedicated and compassionate caregivers Savelina Motumanu and Florida Laume and her family for making his final years so comfortable.
A celebration of Norman's life will be held Saturday, September 10th, 2016 in McGowan House at St. James Episcopal Church, 381 High Street [at Franklin St.] in Monterey from 1:00 - 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Norman's memory may be made to the SPCA for Monterey County, P.O. Box 3058, Monterey, CA 93942-3058 or to the Hospice of the Central Coast, 80 Garden Court, Monterey, CA 93940.
Monterey County Herald on-line
Norman L. Bennett
October 8, 1920 - August 2, 2016
Monterey
Long-time Monterey resident, Norman Lavern Bennett, 95, died peacefully at his home August 2, 2016 following a long period of declining health. A native of Boyne Falls, MI, Norman was the fifth of six children born to William Shergold Bennett and Emma Goff Bennett.
To hear Norman tell it, he had a near idyllic childhood; however, he was no stranger to hard work. Because of the age difference between himself and his older brothers, he was often the only son at home where he worked on the family farm and on those of neighbors. He also assisted his father, the manager of the local lumber yard, and groomed horses at a nearby children's summer camp. In town he helped at his friend's family's general store, and in the process learned Polish, a language that he continued to speak, even as his memory failed.
Norman was a gifted athlete with a passion for baseball where he excelled as a pitcher. At age 19, Norman had a try-out with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was offered a position on their farm team; however, an older friend convinced him that war was looming, and Norman enlisted in the U. S. Army instead. He was sent to the Presidio of Monterey for his basic training, and thus began his life-long love of the Monterey Peninsula. Although Norman had originally chosen the Infantry, the Commander of the Presidio changed Norman and all others in his unit with a high school diploma to the Medical Corps. He was promoted quickly through the ranks reaching the level of Master Sergeant, and at that time was the youngest soldier to hold that rank. He helped open the first Fort Ord Hospital, and shortly before D-Day, was sent overseas to serve at the U. S. Army hospital at Camp Poundstone in southern England.
Following the end of WWII, Norman was mustered out of military duty at Camp Crowder, Missouri where his wife, Mollie, whom he had married in 1942, joined him for a visit to Boyne Falls. It was at this time that Norman used some of his funds from the G.I. Bill to buy his parents their first home with electricity and indoor plumbing. Norman and Mollie then returned to the Monterey Peninsula and purchased a chicken ranch in Marina. While tending his ranch, Norman also worked part time at the Marina General Store and served as Asst. Postmaster.
In 1950, at the urging of his mother-in-law, Norman and Mollie sold the chicken ranch and moved in to Monterey to help care for her and to share her new home. It was at this time that Norman became a Dept. of the Army civilian employee and entered into his career in civilian personnel. The move to Monterey was followed shortly by the birth of daughter Rachel in 1954. Mollie and Norman were members of St. John's Episcopal Church Del Monte, and despite Mollie's untimely passing in 1961, Norman remained a vestryman, an acolyte trainer, and served on the board that oversaw the opening of the York School. Norman was fortunate to find love again with Monte Vista School teacher Esther Larson, and upon their marriage in 1963, he adopted her son David.
In June 1965, Norman moved the family to Verona, Italy where he worked as the Deputy Civilian Personnel Officer at Camp Passalacqua, SETAF. In 1966, his position was transferred to Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy where his son Paul was born. In April 1967, Norman was promoted to Civilian Personnel Officer for all U.S. Army casernes in the Mannheim/Worms area of Germany. In 1970, despite the D.o.A.'s urging that he accept a position in Washington D.C. for career advancement, Norman chose to move the family back to his beloved Monterey, and resumed the job of Deputy CPO at Fort Ord. Following the retirement of Fort Ord's CPO C.H. Woodbury in 1972, Norman was chosen to assume the position which also included oversight responsibilities for civilian employees at Fort Hunter Liggett, Camp Roberts, and Fort Irwin near Los Angeles.
Because of his lifetime of hard work and the diversity of his experiences coming of age during the Great Depression, Norman was a true renaissance man. He could fell a tree to the exact spot he desired, and then go inside and prepare a three course dinner. He loved music, a joy that he passed on to his children, and himself played clarinet, harmonica and accordion. With his knowledge of plumbing and carpentry, Norman spent the early years of his retirement as the neighborhood "handy-man". However, his true passion was gardening, and he was noted for keeping a beautiful yard. Norman was always a friendly face at his garden gate and delighted in chatting with neighbors as they walked by. He could be counted on for a kind word and a biscuit for their dogs. Every year he maintained the age-old tradition of hand-written Christmas cards, sending out hundreds. Always generous, he was quick to help a friend in need and donated to a number of charities.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Lawrence Bennett, Alta Walton, Victor Bennett, Julia Betty Slocum, Lillian Morgan, his first wife Mollie, his second wife Esther and his son David John. He is survived by his daughter, the Rev. Deacon Rachel M. Bennett of Monterey and his son Paul E. Bennett of Carmel Valley and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Schneiderman and his staff for their many years of caring service and Norman's dedicated and compassionate caregivers Savelina Motumanu and Florida Laume and her family for making his final years so comfortable.
A celebration of Norman's life will be held Saturday, September 10th, 2016 in McGowan House at St. James Episcopal Church, 381 High Street [at Franklin St.] in Monterey from 1:00 - 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Norman's memory may be made to the SPCA for Monterey County, P.O. Box 3058, Monterey, CA 93942-3058 or to the Hospice of the Central Coast, 80 Garden Court, Monterey, CA 93940.
Monterey County Herald on-line
October 8, 1920 - August 2, 2016
Monterey
Long-time Monterey resident, Norman Lavern Bennett, 95, died peacefully at his home August 2, 2016 following a long period of declining health. A native of Boyne Falls, MI, Norman was the fifth of six children born to William Shergold Bennett and Emma Goff Bennett.
To hear Norman tell it, he had a near idyllic childhood; however, he was no stranger to hard work. Because of the age difference between himself and his older brothers, he was often the only son at home where he worked on the family farm and on those of neighbors. He also assisted his father, the manager of the local lumber yard, and groomed horses at a nearby children's summer camp. In town he helped at his friend's family's general store, and in the process learned Polish, a language that he continued to speak, even as his memory failed.
Norman was a gifted athlete with a passion for baseball where he excelled as a pitcher. At age 19, Norman had a try-out with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was offered a position on their farm team; however, an older friend convinced him that war was looming, and Norman enlisted in the U. S. Army instead. He was sent to the Presidio of Monterey for his basic training, and thus began his life-long love of the Monterey Peninsula. Although Norman had originally chosen the Infantry, the Commander of the Presidio changed Norman and all others in his unit with a high school diploma to the Medical Corps. He was promoted quickly through the ranks reaching the level of Master Sergeant, and at that time was the youngest soldier to hold that rank. He helped open the first Fort Ord Hospital, and shortly before D-Day, was sent overseas to serve at the U. S. Army hospital at Camp Poundstone in southern England.
Following the end of WWII, Norman was mustered out of military duty at Camp Crowder, Missouri where his wife, Mollie, whom he had married in 1942, joined him for a visit to Boyne Falls. It was at this time that Norman used some of his funds from the G.I. Bill to buy his parents their first home with electricity and indoor plumbing. Norman and Mollie then returned to the Monterey Peninsula and purchased a chicken ranch in Marina. While tending his ranch, Norman also worked part time at the Marina General Store and served as Asst. Postmaster.
In 1950, at the urging of his mother-in-law, Norman and Mollie sold the chicken ranch and moved in to Monterey to help care for her and to share her new home. It was at this time that Norman became a Dept. of the Army civilian employee and entered into his career in civilian personnel. The move to Monterey was followed shortly by the birth of daughter Rachel in 1954. Mollie and Norman were members of St. John's Episcopal Church Del Monte, and despite Mollie's untimely passing in 1961, Norman remained a vestryman, an acolyte trainer, and served on the board that oversaw the opening of the York School. Norman was fortunate to find love again with Monte Vista School teacher Esther Larson, and upon their marriage in 1963, he adopted her son David.
In June 1965, Norman moved the family to Verona, Italy where he worked as the Deputy Civilian Personnel Officer at Camp Passalacqua, SETAF. In 1966, his position was transferred to Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy where his son Paul was born. In April 1967, Norman was promoted to Civilian Personnel Officer for all U.S. Army casernes in the Mannheim/Worms area of Germany. In 1970, despite the D.o.A.'s urging that he accept a position in Washington D.C. for career advancement, Norman chose to move the family back to his beloved Monterey, and resumed the job of Deputy CPO at Fort Ord. Following the retirement of Fort Ord's CPO C.H. Woodbury in 1972, Norman was chosen to assume the position which also included oversight responsibilities for civilian employees at Fort Hunter Liggett, Camp Roberts, and Fort Irwin near Los Angeles.
Because of his lifetime of hard work and the diversity of his experiences coming of age during the Great Depression, Norman was a true renaissance man. He could fell a tree to the exact spot he desired, and then go inside and prepare a three course dinner. He loved music, a joy that he passed on to his children, and himself played clarinet, harmonica and accordion. With his knowledge of plumbing and carpentry, Norman spent the early years of his retirement as the neighborhood "handy-man". However, his true passion was gardening, and he was noted for keeping a beautiful yard. Norman was always a friendly face at his garden gate and delighted in chatting with neighbors as they walked by. He could be counted on for a kind word and a biscuit for their dogs. Every year he maintained the age-old tradition of hand-written Christmas cards, sending out hundreds. Always generous, he was quick to help a friend in need and donated to a number of charities.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Lawrence Bennett, Alta Walton, Victor Bennett, Julia Betty Slocum, Lillian Morgan, his first wife Mollie, his second wife Esther and his son David John. He is survived by his daughter, the Rev. Deacon Rachel M. Bennett of Monterey and his son Paul E. Bennett of Carmel Valley and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Schneiderman and his staff for their many years of caring service and Norman's dedicated and compassionate caregivers Savelina Motumanu and Florida Laume and her family for making his final years so comfortable.
A celebration of Norman's life will be held Saturday, September 10th, 2016 in McGowan House at St. James Episcopal Church, 381 High Street [at Franklin St.] in Monterey from 1:00 - 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Norman's memory may be made to the SPCA for Monterey County, P.O. Box 3058, Monterey, CA 93942-3058 or to the Hospice of the Central Coast, 80 Garden Court, Monterey, CA 93940.
Monterey County Herald on-line
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
