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John Bennett Obituary
December 7, 1920 - June 12, 2014
John Thomas Bennett (Jack) passed away peacefully at his Rossmoor residence on June 12, 2014. A proud Southside Chicago native, he was born on December 7, 1920, graduated from Fenwick High School in 1938 and DePaul University in 1943, the year he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He participated in numerous pivotal European Theater battles to include Messina, Anzio, and on June 6, 1944 with the 6th Wave, the Normandy Invasion/Omaha Beach. Thereafter, he saw more combat during "The Battle of the Bulge."After the war in Europe ended, he was sent to the Boston Naval Yard slotted for service in the Pacific Theater and the invasion of Japan. While stationed in Boston he met Ruth Margaret O'Leary on a blind date. They were married in August 1945 and their final duty station was Seattle, Wa. Jack continued to be active in the Naval Reserve retiring as Lt. Commander. The couple loved the West Coast and relocated to San Francisco eventually settling in the Westlake District of Daly City. Here they raised 6 uniquely distinctive children and were founding members of Our Lady of Mercy Parish and School. They continued to be active in numerous parish ministries to include the Westlake Catholic Men and Women.
Jack enjoyed a long successful career in sales first with Jergens Lotion and subsequently for over 30 years with Brach's Candy. In and around his circle of friends and associates, he called himself a "jelly bean salesman." He also didn't mind being referred to as "the candy man."
After 10 years as a widower he married Mildred Shannon, also a transplant from the Boston area. "Millie" passed away in 2007. As fate would have it, Jack was married for over 46 years to two women who had grown up not more than 3 miles from one another in the Boston suburbs and whose paths likely never crossed until they moved west.
Jack is survived by six children - John (Donna), Barbara Hoversen (Mike), Dennis (Dana), Nancy Zunich (Jack), Maureen Schopf (Greg), and Kevin (Barbara), 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. The final years of both his life and Millie's were enhanced by the devotion and kindness of his caregiver Jocelyn (Joy) Ipswitch and her family.
A mass and celebration of Jack's life will be held on June 21, 11AM at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 1600 Rossmoor Parkway, Walnut Creek, CA 94595. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to St. Anne's Catholic Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Willie McDevitt
June 13, 2019
Jack was a Marine; always a Marine.
Donna (Shannon) Goguen
June 24, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bennett Family. God Bless you all. RIP Uncle Jack. I will always remember when Dan and I would come to Daly City when we were stationed at Ft. Ord,CA to see you and Aunt Millie. You were always smiling and telling jokes. The candy man was a perfect nickname. God Bless.
Gary McLane
June 23, 2014
Lynn and I send our condolences. I remember Mr. Bennett from my days at the Colma Golf Range, didn't realize then that I would become friends with Dennis. May he RIP.
Barbara (Shannon) Zakrzewski
June 21, 2014
Sorry to hear of your loss; we here on the East Coast are praying for you and your families.
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John Courtney
June 20, 2014
Jack Bennett & the Bennett family were true friends of so many as grew up at the new parish of OLM....Jack was blessed with a sense of humor & was very good man all the way around (husband, father, friend to many including the Bill & Connie Courtney Family)
Jack we will all miss you...thanks for your being part of our lives...God bless Jack and his family
John Courtney, the oldest of the Courtney Clan (OLM 63, SI 67)
Carol Galletta
June 20, 2014
A wonderful, funny, generous and friendly man. I will always remember him dearly.
Nancy Bennett
June 19, 2014
Words don't come close to the effect this man left on his family & friends. Dad made everyone feel special: his kids, his family, his friends & even his caretakers...He will be sorely missed, but our memories wil keep Dad alive and present in our lives & prayers. Love you Dad.
Blinne #2: Nancy
Emily Shannon
June 19, 2014
We will miss your jovial laugh. Our thoughts and prayers are with your children. rest in peace jack we will think of you often and remember the good times. Emily and Frank Shannon
Kathleen Shannon
June 19, 2014
To the entire Bennett family: I'm so sorry to hear of Uncle Jack's passing. I enjoyed seeing him when he and Aunt Millie would come back to Boston. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Uncle Jack, say hello to the gang up there! Love you.
June 19, 2014
Westlake loses another legend. I have very fond memories of Jack and Ruth. Mrs Bennett often brought Kevin and other kids to the beach, regardless of fog or sun. Jack is responsible for most of my cavities as a kid with the garage full of brachs candy at our disposal.
many thanks for always smiling and caring about the youngsters in the neighborhood.
my thoughts and prayers are with the Bennett family,
Bob Enright
June 18, 2014
John, there is no doubt that Jack was the source of your courage, leadership, loyalty and moral compass. To me, you have always been the mirror image of the man who instilled his many virtues in his son.
Of course, there is also no doubt that he passed on his love for good Scotch to his number one son.
I loved your father and enjoyed his companionship and especially his "belly" laugh.
Like a good Irishman, he left nothing on the table when he passed. He experienced the horror of war and the blessing of holding his grandchildren.
Jack, congratulations on a life well lived.
The McDevitt's
I. Sariotti
June 18, 2014
Dear Bennett Family:
We are so sorry to hear of Jack's passing. The loss of someone so close is difficult and we share your grief. We all loved ourstay in Westlake and all the help with our Sweet Booth. It is so nice to know that you all will have 3 special quardian angel watching over you.
The Ira Sariotti Family
June 17, 2014
Dear Bennett Family,
My sincere sympathies to you at the loss of Jack. I remember him well from our OLM days. He was always jovial and friendly. I had no idea of his military career. You must be very proud of him.
God Bless him,
Margaret Diggins
Jim Potts
June 17, 2014
John, Dennis and family my condolences at the death of your father. He was a fine gentleman.
June 17, 2014
Dear Barbara and Donna
So sorry to hear of the passing of your dad and father in law.
Love Patty (Sartorio) Chelini
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