Robert J. Bennett Sr.

Robert J. Bennett Sr. of Gardner, was carpenter, Air Force vet; 81 GARDNER Robert J. Bennett Sr., 81, of Gardner, and Queen Lake in Phillipston, died Saturday, August 2, 2008, at home. He was born July 14, 1927 in Fitchburg, the son of Eugene and Sophie (Arsenault) Bennett. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a self employed carpenter. Mr. Bennett was a Girl Scout leader. He was an avid coin and stamp collecter. He also collected miniature cars. He was a skilled woodworker and used his ingenuity to create many wooden inventions. He loved to travel with his family, ballroom dancing and line dancing. He leaves eight children, Penny Tschabold and her husband, Larry, of Puyallup, WA, Paula Firmani and her husband, Charles, of Fitchburg, Robin Lorion and her husband, Joseph, of Phillipston, Bonne Cote and her husband, Daniel, of Winchendon, David Bennett of Las Vegas, NV, Merri Anne Carriere of Fitchburg, Tammy Snyder and her husband, William, of Laytonville, CA, and Robert J. Bennett, Jr. and his wife, Malgorzhata, of Fitchburg; 16 grandchildren, Tammy Sandifer, Bethanne Firmani, Robby Castaneda, Jason Cote, Danielle Duval, Christina Rasmussen, Stephanie Cote, Michelle Firmani, Beata Guniemmy, Isaac Haynes, Nichole Bennett, Brittany Bennett, Marcy Carriere, Arizona Snyder, and Courtney Carriere; 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by both of his brothers, Harry J. Bennett and Alpheri J. Bennett; his former wife, Shirley (Whaley) Bennett Leville, and his son, Peter G . Bennett. BENNETT The funeral will be held Wednesday, August 6, 2008 from Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 59 Walnut St., Fitchburg. Burial is in St. Bernard's Cemetery. Calling hours are Tuesday from 5-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gardner Fire Department EMT, 70 City Hall Ave., Gardner, MA 01440 or American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210.