Wayne K. Bennett

Wayne K. Bennett, 75, of East Pharsalia, passed away on March 19, 2023. Wayne is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Justin & Hanna Bennett; his beloved grandchildren, Nolan & Ivy Bennett, of Chesapeake, VA; his brothers, Mark and Laurie Bennett, of South Plymouth NY, Frank and Sherry Bennett, of Preston, NY; his sisters, Crystal and Donnie Riddle, of East Pharsalia, NY, and Joy (Dave MacLaury) Bennett, of DeRuyter, NY. Wayne is also survived by many much loved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Wayne was predeceased by his wife, Mary A. Smith Bennett; his parents, Francis E. Bennett and Florence C. Sayles Bennett; and his sister, Robin A. Bennett Young.

Wayne was a 1966 graduate of Norwich High School. He served his country honorably in the US Army, earning a National Defense Service Medal, a Bronze Star, a Vietnam Service Medal, Overseas Service Bars and an Expert Marksmanship Badge. Upon his discharge, Wayne worked for Crane Silo, Raymond Corporation, and the Chenango County Highway Department where he retired in 2002 after 30 years of dedicated service. Wayne was a longtime member of the East Pharsalia Baptist Church, the Pharsalia Fire Department, Pharsalia Town Board, and the Preston Cemetery Association. He was an avid hunter, trapper, gun and car lover, but most of all, a devoted family man. He will be remembered for using his favorite phrase, “It is what it is.”

A funeral service will take place at 11:00 on Tuesday, March 28, at East Pharsalia Baptist Church, 841 County Road 10, E. Pharsalia, with Pastor Paul Hills officiating. Burial with full military honors will take place at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday from 4:00-7:00pm at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N. Broad St. Norwich. In lieu of flowers, donations in Wayne’s memory may be made to the Pharsalia Fire Department, 838 County Rd. 10, McDonough, NY 13801, or to K9’s for Warriors at donate.k9sforwarriors.org