Search by Name

Search by Name

BENJAMIN GANNETT Obituary

GANNETT, Benjamin Hamlen Devoted Family Man, Business Leader & Community Member Mr. Benjamin "Ben" Hamlen Gannett, of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, died Friday, November 27, 2020 of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 78 years old. Ben is survived by his beloved & devoted wife of 52 years, Adlumia "Lummy" (Sargent), his daughters Sarah Gannett (Baltimore, MD), Amy Morse and her husband DJ (Chestnut Hill, MA), and Abigail Levendusky and her husband Jason (Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA), his son Benjamin Gannett, Jr. and his wife Jennifer (Hingham, MA), his ten grandchildren, Jackson, Henry, Will, Annie, Ali, Olivia, Hadley, Natalie, Emily, and Finn, who were his pride and joy, and his golden retriever, Boomer, who was his best friend. Ben, the son of the late Thomas Brattle Gannett and Representative Ann Cole Gannett, was born and raised on Mainstone Farm, in Wayland, MA, with four siblings, the late Thomas Brattle Gannett, Jr., Nancy (Robert) Hurlbut, Deborah (David) Brooks, and Peter Gannett. He was known as a fun-loving and spirited young man. After graduating from Milton Academy in 1961, Ben briefly attended Boston University before joining the United States Marine Corps. There, he learned a discipline and love of country that became central to his character. Following his Marine Corps service, Ben met Lummy when they worked together at a small bank in Boston. They were married in Washington, DC in 1968 and settled in Littleton, MA before moving to Manchester in 1969. Together they launched their family, his business, and a lifetime of adventure and service to their community. Ben and his partners, Jack Welsh and Ken Ives, founded their company, the investment counseling firm Gannett, Welsh & Ives, in 1974. They grew the firm—which is run today under the name GW&K—from three partners and a secretary to a company managing $36 billion in assets. GW&K partnered in 2008 with the local company Affiliated Managers Group (AMG). While running a successful business, Ben maintained a lifelong commitment to community service, in Manchester-by-the-Sea and beyond. He served as an elected member and as Chairman of the Manchester School Committee for 12 years, ushering the school system through difficult budgetary times and handing out diplomas to scores of graduates, including all four of his own children. He also served on the boards of the Boston Aquarium, the Boys and Girls Club of Boston, the Wang Center, Summer Search, the Singing Beach Club, the Cape Ann Savings Bank, and numerous other organizations. Ben was an indefatigable sports fan. His first date with his wife was to a Patriots' game! He listened to or watched virtually every Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins game ever played, and he proudly served as treasurer of the Boston Madison Square Garden Club. He also loved youth sports. He encouraged all his children to play, and he coached numerous teams, including his son's youth hockey teams. He loved watching his grandchildren play football, baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis and lacrosse. Ben was a natural athlete himself, playing sports his whole life, and remaining graceful on water and snow skis, and on the tennis court, as an adult. Among Ben's lesser-known, but proudest, accomplishments were prizes he won as an adult with family and friends after he took up sports fishing, including at the Nantucket and Bahamas (Championship, 2006) billfish tournaments. Before Alzheimer's disease took its toll, Ben and Lummy had the good fortune to travel to far-flung places with their friends and their children. Yet there was nothing he loved more than being at home on Smith's Point, looking out over familiar waters, loved ones at his side and a cocktail (rum dum!) in hand. Ben will be remembered fondly, and dearly missed, by countless friends and family members for his kind and generous heart and warm smile. His family will be forever grateful to Care Dimensions, and especially to Seasons of Danvers, for the love and care they gave to Ben as his Alzheimer's progressed. ARRANGEMENTS: A private Service will be held on December 3, 2020. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St. (Rte. 62), DANVERS. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ben's memory to The Benjamin H. Gannett Memorial Scholarship, c/o Cape Ann Savings Bank, 17 Beach Street, Manchester, MA 01944. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Manchester-Essex High School graduate, in honor of the town and the school Ben loved and served. www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

View the online memorial for Benjamin Hamlen GANNETT

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Nov. 28 to Nov. 29, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for BENJAMIN GANNETT

Not sure what to say?





5 Entries

George ( Chet ) Chester

November 4, 2021

Ben , A incredible human , wonderful Man . My late wife Connie Fortunato , Chester and I loved Ben , Also Love to Lummy and Family !

Thyomas J Geraghty

December 8, 2020

My deepest sympathy and condolences to the Gannett familiy and loved ones. I had the privilege of conversing with Ben on occasions of the yearly meeting of the BMSGC Always insightful and a pleasure to speak with ,he will be dearly missed by all who knew him God Speed

Faithful Blessings Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

Danielle Williams

Sent Flowers

Comfort Planter

John Chisholm

Sent Flowers

Dana Aptt

November 29, 2020

To Lummy and your entire family, I will always remember you as a young vibrant, out going friendly family. I was so sad to read of Bens passing, May your grief pass quickly but you will never forget. Ben will be in a better place and at peace. God Speed.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

Make a Donation
in BENJAMIN GANNETT's name

Memorial Events
for BENJAMIN GANNETT

Dec

3

Service

MA

Funeral services provided by:

O'Donnell Cremations - Funerals - Celebrations - Danvers

167 Maple Street, Danvers, MA 01923

How to support BENJAMIN's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor BENJAMIN GANNETT's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more