Daniel Bennett

1929 - 2016

Mr. Daniel Bennett 1929 - 2016
DOLGEVILLE - Mr. Daniel Bennett, 87, of 19 West Spofford Avenue in Dolgeville, died Wednesday, November 30, 2016, in the Alpine Nursing Home in Little Falls, where he had been a resident since August of this year.
Dan was born on January 27, 1929, the son of Frederick and Marie (Hart) Bennett, and was a graduate of Little Falls High School, class of 1947.
He was a veteran of the Korean War, having honorably served in the United States Army after enlisting in April of 1951 and actively serving until April of 1953. He then continued to serve in the active Army Reserves and was discharged in March of 1957. While on active duty, Dan was deployed to Korea, serving as a Tank Commander, with Company B 245th Tank Battalion, earning the rank of Sergeant and military awards of the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star and the United Nations Service Medal. Dan later became a member of the American Legion, a veteran's organization.
Dan was united in marriage to Alice Brucker on October 27, 1956, in St. Mary's Church in Little Falls, and Dan and Alice went on to be the parents of nine children. He and Alice recently celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage.
He was a 36-year employee of the former New York Telephone Company, working as a lineman and retiring in 1991.
Dan enjoyed gardening and was well-known for his "green thumb" in growing flowers and vegetables, especially his tomatoes, that he happily shared with friends and neighbors. He also enjoyed rabbit hunting with his beagles and simply being out in the woods enjoying nature. Dan's love for children, and handsome white beard, led him to play Santa Claus for the villages of Dolgeville and Herkimer for over 10 years. Dan was also affectionately known as "Boots" by the staff and fellow patrons at the local coffee shop "Motors Inn", where he enjoyed visiting for a donut every morning for years.
He is survived by his wife, Alice, of 60 years; his sons and their wives, Mark (Ellen) Bennett, of Salisbury, Michael (Helen) Bennett, of Macedon, Frederick (Robyn) Bennett, of Salisbury, Daniel (Lisa) Bennett, of Little Falls, and Edward (Denise) Bennett, of Syracuse; his daughters and their husbands, Kay (Jeff) Stegich, of Richardson, TX, Marie Travis, of The Woodlands, TX, Nancy (Paul) Cizik, of Casa Grande, AZ, and Karen (Phil) Zeller, of Bakersfield, CA; his grandchildren, Matthew, Emily, Ethan, Brooke, Christina, David, Laura, Eric, Lauren, Daniel, Morgan, Luke, Ryan, B. James, Chase, Scott, Brianne, Alissa and Michael; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Jane Sabin and Mary Doorey.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Roberts Funeral Home, located at 3 Faville Avenue in Dolgeville. Deacon James Bower of St. Joseph's & Holy Family Church will offer prayers. Burial with Military Honors will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery. Calling hours will occur on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Dan to the Salvation Army located at 431 N. Prospect Street, Herkimer, NY 13350.
A message of sympathy or a remembrance of Dan may be sent to the family at www.robertsfuneralcare.com.