Francis A. Bennett

LYMAN, Maine ; Francis A. Bennett, 82, of Lyman, died on Saturday, October 18, 2008, at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford.

He was born in Biddeford on September 8, 1926, a son of Francis E. and Mary (McDonald) Bennett.

He was educated in local schools and graduated from Thornton Academy in Saco with the Class of 1944.

Mr. Bennett served with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict from 1950 to 1952.

On May 2, 1953, he married Lorette A. Cyr in St. Joseph Church in Biddeford. She died on July 24, 2008, after 55 years of marriage.

He worked as a carpenter for Murray Construction Co. for more than 15 years and later was self employed as F.A. Bennett Construction for over 18 years until his retirement in 1990.

Francis was a devoted member of St. Philips Church, serving on the Finance and Building Committee during its opening and as a devoted parishioner.

He was also one of the founding members of the Massabesic Athletic Boosters and volunteered with the Goodwins Mills Fire Department for over 22 years. He was a former member of the American Legion in Lyman and a former Boy Scout Leader for Troop 399.

Francis enjoyed hunting and fishing in and around southern Maine. He attended most of his sons' and grandsons' football games, always getting the best view by managing the chain sets during the game. He was also very proud of his gardening and liked to build small knickknacks in is workshop for his grandchildren.

He was predeceased by 3 siblings, Georgina Thibodeau, Arvid Bennett and Raymond Bennett

Surviving are 3 daughters, Kathleen Lapierre and her husband, Thomas, of Sanford, Nancy L. Creamer, of Lyman, and Susan M. Daigle and her husband, Steve, of Lyman; 5 sons, David F. Bennett and his wife, Deborah, of Berwick, Steven E. Bennett and his wife, Susan, of Lyman, Michael R. Bennett and his wife, Lisa, of North Waterboro, Richard A. Bennett and his wife, Jennifer, of Lyman, and Scott M. Bennett, of Limerick; 2 sisters, Paula Gervais, of Indiana, and Mary Brown, of Dayton; 3 brothers, Ervin Bennett, of Dayton, Joseph Bennett and his wife, Barbara, of Standish, and Thomas Bennett and his wife, Freida, of Orange, Virginia; 15 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were to take place from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, at Hope Memorial Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, at St. Philip Church in Lyman.

Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Biddeford.

Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm Street, Biddeford, Maine 04005.

Donations for a new pall and chasuble in memory of Francis may be made to St. Philips Church, 404 Goodwins Mills Road, Lyman, Maine 04002.