Richard BENNETT

BENNETT, Richard, 83, of Plant City, Fla., passed from this life, to his home

in Heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ, January 29, 2010, after a heroic battle with congestive heart failure. Richard was born July 10, 1926, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Harold M. and Ruth H. Bennett. As a young man, Dick loved sailing and the sea. He continued to enjoy that sport into retirement with his sons, both in New Jersey and in Florida. Dick began his academic pursuits at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute but was interrupted by American' s involvement in World War II. He served in the U.S. Army 32nd Armored Regiment and was a part of the Lightning Brigade and the Battle of the Bulge. He remained in Germany for a short time as part of the Occupation and then returned home to complete his degree in Engineering Management. After graduation, he immediately accepted employment with Ingersoll Rand where he served for 36 years, rising to the position of Corporate Controller. In 1950, Dick married Francis Mueller of Brooklyn, N.Y., who preceded him in death in 1962. He is currently survived by his wife of almost 47 years, Shirley Leh Bennett. He is survived by four children, Barbara Psathas of Bethlehem, Pa., Richard James Bennett of Wauseon, Ohio, Thomas Harold Bennett and his wife, Alisyn of Clemmons, N.C., and Robert Gordon Bennett and his wife Stacy of Plant City, Fla. Additionally, he is survived by grandchildren, James Psathas, Alexandra DeLabar, Michael Psathas, SaraAnn Bennett, Shaun Bennett, Aaron Bennett, Amanda Bennett, Ryan Bennett, Michael Bennett, and Avery Bradshaw. He will be greatly missed by his four-paw furry buddy, Tiger with whom he spent much time during the last few months. Before retiring to Florida in 1998, the growing family would gather at their house in Westfield, NJ to celebrate births, birthday parties, and holidays. The grand- children have a rich memory of the special times with "Pop-pop" and "Grandma". After settling in Florida, Richard joined the Church Of God where he made so many new, genuine friends. When he was still feeling well, he spent time in the food banks, stocking the shelves for the church. He supported his wife, Shirley in all of her Bible study teachings and meetings at their home. Dad was a devoted father, husband, and grandfather. We will always cherish our memories of him as Dad and as "Pop-pop" to our kids. We will miss our daily phone chats, his encouragement and support. Most of all, we will miss you, Dad. We love you! A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at Plant City Church of God, 2103 Mud Lake Road, Plant City, Fla. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or National Breast Cancer Foundation in remembrance of Richard Bennett. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelations 21:4