Gregory M. Bennett

Gregory M. Bennett grew up in Oakland California with one brother, Kendall Bennett, during the depression . This experience resulted in the values he imbued in his own family. The tragic loss of his mother at age nine created a lifelong commitment to the family he subsequently built and headed. Greg guided his family with a strong sense of integrity, work ethic and the value for living simply and well, surrounded by those he loved. His strong values have guided his family members through both joy and life's many challenges. The quote by Albert Einstein sums up the Bennett Patriarch. "Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value."

His marriage to Madeline Bennett resulted in a lifelong love story that spanned 65 years. "When you have loved as they have loved, you grow old beautifully." W. Somerset Maugham. Greg grew into old age beautifully; fully content and surrounded by the love of his wife and family. Their marriage is a miracle setting the stage for his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren to similarly age beautifully and well.

Greg served in the Navy during WWII. His ship was the first to enter the harbor after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This war time experience had a lasting impact on Greg. He did not believe in violence towards his fellow man or animals. He was a man of peace. After the war he worked both in Public Accounting and auditing for the U.S. Government. He was a CPA. His position with the General Accounting Office took his family to Japan in the early 1960's. This was a time of joy for the entire family. This experience also opened his eyes to the larger world which he fully embraced.

Greg is survived by a strong and deeply loyal family spanning four generations. Madeline Bennett, his wife and lifelong love; Kendall Bennett, brother, Valerie Bennett Naquin, daughter, Alicia Berka, daughter, and his grandchildren Aaron Scott, Andrena Galloway, Cassie Dalton, Damian Naquin and Zach Berka; great grand children Danielle Galloway, Jordyn Carter and Tyler Carter and Palmer Dalton. His in-laws Skip Berka, Keith Carter, Jason Dalton and Jessica Naquin were all loved and cherished as well in the bosom of his family.

Greg was a good man; he was passionate and deeply loyal to his family. He was a strong man and fought a long and difficult physical battle to remain with his family. He possessed strong integrity and during retirement fought for the rights of the Elderly through his Letters to the Editor. He was a staunch and committed Democrat and his family requests donations to the Democratic Party in lieu of flowers.

Greg's family will release him to peace through the symbolic flight of the dove at his graveside service. He and Madeline, when she later joins him, will rest in eternity with the symbol of two swans facing each other. Swans mate for life. Their love will endure forever as will his love for his family.

"The hour of departure has arrived and we go our ways; I to die, and you to live." Socrates

Lovingly written by Valerie Bennett Naquin