Harvey L. Bennett Sr.

Harvey Lincoln Bennett, Sr., 92, passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2016 in Tallahassee. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in the southside suburb of Hyde Park, the son of the late Reginald and Marion Ross Bennett. Mr. Bennett graduated from Boston English High School in 1942 and later attended the private Chauncey Hall, in preparation for M.I.T.

He enlisted instead in the United States Army, serving as an Army Air Force Gunnery Instructor during World War Two. He was honorably discharged with the Good Conduct and Victory Medals. While serving, he met the former Helen Jekubow of Cleveland, OH, who was working for the war effort at General Electric and they were later married and had three sons.

Mr. Bennett began his professional sales career with the Behr-Manning Company in Worchester, MA, as a field engineer. He remained in industrial sales for 45 years in management positions with the Norton Company, American Chain and Cable, Lift-All Corporation, and the Wilton Corporation, where he retired as Vice President of Sales. His career afforded an opportunity for him and his family to experience living in many different parts of the country. Upon retirement, he lived in Myrtle Beach, SC and later Tallahassee.

A lifetime golfer who learned the game himself as a young lad during summer camps on Cape Cod, Mr. Bennett passed along the love of the game to his three sons. He was a regular player at Hilaman and Summerbrooke golf courses, although never achieved his elusive hole-in-one. He enjoyed the love of family and especially his time with his five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was a devoted father and grandfather, generous with his time and energy, and a gentleman who lived his life with grace.

Mr. Bennett was preceded in death by wife Helen Bennett. Surviving are sister Carolyn Wharrie of St. Petersburg, FL; three sons, Orrin Paul (and May) Bennett, Sr. of Monroe Township, NJ; Ronald L. (and Jay) Bennett of Casselberry, FL; and Harvey L. Bennett, Jr. of Tallahassee; grandchildren Orrin Paul Bennett, Jr., Lauren Bennett, Lincoln Bennett, Nash Bennett, and Maxwell Bennett; and great-grandchildren Orrin Paul Bennett III, Elle Bennett, and Lila Bennett.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Friends and family may leave condolences for the Bennett family online. Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home is assisting the Bennett family with arrangements.