Arthur C. Bennett (“Pa”), age 95, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 near his beloved family. He was born October 30, 1925, in Fairport, New York, to Ruth and Colbourne (“Fuzz”) Bennett. He was a 1944 graduate of Fairport High School, and later drafted in the U.S. Navy serving on the U.S. Amick #168 during World War II. Art married his high school sweetheart Pauline (Dancy) Bennett on May 12, 1945. After graduating from the University of Rochester, he was employed by General Motors as an engineer with a knack for carburetors and a love of American-made automobiles. Art and Pauline had two children, Donnaand Dan, whom they proudly raised in their hometown of Fairport. Art always had a ready smileand was loved by all who were blessed enough have him in their lives. “Pa” was one-of-a-kind and will be truly missed. He is survived by his wife, Pauline, his son Dan (Susi) Bennett, his son-in-law Richard Iocco, grandchildren Jeff Iocco, Greg (Melissa) Iocco, Lindsay (Rod) Engels, Raban (Kirsten) Bennett, Francine Bennett, Kirsten Bennett and Caitlin Bennett, his sister-in-law Wilma Dancy, nieces and nephews Lynne (Dennis) Madden, Amy Bennett, Debby (Ron) Roedel, William Dancy, Glynda (Elaine) Dancy, and many beloved great-grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews. Art is preceded in death by his daughter Donna (Bennett) Iocco, brother Gerald Bennett, brother-in-law William A. Dancy, sister-in-law Esther Bader, and sister-in-law Helen Bennett.
Calling Hours Tuesday 4-6PM at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport
A high school sweetheart died today,
Faithful to his girl till his dying day.
No stranger to the tougher things in life,
World War II, the death of his dear Donna, just part of his strife.
When Pauline needed more care than a devoted husband could provide,
But spiritually they were connected – a love no one could divide.
Separated by corridors, he walked many times per day,
To check on his beloved wife, in his most protective way.
But he still carried the torch for his one true love,
Guided by his faith, and his strength from up above.
Art adored his two children: Donna Lee and Dan,
He loved his country and shipmates – a proud Navy man.
He played football, a skilled archer and could even square dance,
Loved hunting or fishing, if given the chance.
He was known for good jokes he always told with style,
Gentle and kind, he lived his life with a smile.
A proud engineer, schooled at the U of R,
He could rebuild a carburetor or fix any car.
General Motors was home to his illustrious career,
If you asked his employees they remember him dear.
Spent retirement in Canandaigua on Old East Lake Road,
A cottage where fond memories lovingly flowed.
A true craftsman in woodworking, made a sundial just for fun,
And if he ever sang to you, oh how spirited he sung.
Such an amazing legacy he leaves for his son, grandkids, nephew and nieces,
All feeling the loss, because we loved him to pieces.
Live your life being positive, taking things in stride,
Love with all your heart and do everything with pride.
Rest now, dear Art, in Heaven because you have earned your keys.We love you and wish you this; Fair Winds and Following Seas.
Comments
9 responses to “Bennett, Arthur C.”
I enjoyed working with Art over the many years at Rochester General Cardiac Rehab. Art and Pauline were constant participants no matter what the weather. My deepest sympathy to Pauline and the family. He has been missed since the program ended.
A very nice poem about Arthur life. He will be missed and his loveed be evryone.
I worked for Art many years in Specifications. Are was much more than a supervisor. He was a friend , comrade., Guidance advisor, and much more.
Art was the best of the best. I enjoyed every day coming to work with Art. I will never forget the memories.
God rest is soul. And may he forever rest in pease.
I miss Uncle Art. Thank you for being such a blessing in my life. My life would not have been the same without him, Aunt Pauline and a family that loved us as much as we loved them. Forever in my heart and memories. I know Grandma & (my) Pa were waiting for you with open arms, a deck of cards and a fishing pole. My heart is heavy but soars knowing you are reunited in the arms of your Loving Father above. I love each of you.
Art was the first person I met when I joined the RPD carburetor group back in 1951. He explained the “BC” carburetor to me. Art & I both actually built our own homes. As our kids grew up, his son Dan married & moved to the Mariana Island of Tinian for a time. Pauline & Art visited Dan on that island. That was my home for a year back in 1945. After retirement, we both joined Charley Tancks once a month RPD retirement luncheon & drove together. i’ll really miss you old pal!!
His generation was very young enduring the Great
Depression at about (4-8) years old.
He was drafted in the US Navy for WWII during his Senior Year at Fairport High School.
In WWII Uncle Art, (RadarMan Second Class
Petty Officer), aboard the USS Amick/Destroyer
Escort, fighting in the Atlantic Fleet.
After the European Theater/War was won, He
disembarked his Ship in May, (1945) at Boston
Navy Yard. While on leave, he married his high school sweetheart, Pauline Dancy & they enjoyed a brief honeymoon
on Canandaigua Lake before he returned to Boston within the week, and his ship embarked around through the Panama
Canal, and anchored in Pearl Harbor; thus joining
The Pacific Fleet in Theater; until that War ended.
He then returned to Fairport and Aunt Pauline,
& built a home in the late (1940’s) on West Whitney Road, where they resided over (55) years.
He attended, and graduated from the U of R, on the
GI Bill, attaining an Engineering Degree, and
created a wonderful career @ GM’s: Rochester Products, where he was a Carburetor Engineer.
Through the years, Uncle Art & Aunt Pauline, generally attended most of the Amick’s Annual Reunions, where he highlighted the reunion in San Antonio, TX.
Uncle Art and Aunt Pauline were very well traveled:
Europe, Australia, & The South Pacific were some
of their highlights. The Bennett’s taught Daughter Donna, & Son Danny: Patience, Planning, & Promptness to name a few core values they emulated!
I remember Uncle Art & Aunt Pauline, driving a
GM vehicle with (a concept phase carburetor),
to Colorado, and back for diagnostic testing
at higher elevations. The Family did that trip
many times with a huge testing board covering
a lot of the front dash, for those trips.
….to be continued…
Aunt Pauline was a devoted Board Member of the
Fairport Baptist Home for over (60) years.
Both Uncle Art & Aunt Pauline were American
Red Cross Volunteers, for at least (25) years or so.
He loved to hunt Pheasants, (they created the
Fairport Pheasant Gang) a group comprised of
(5) former Fairport Classmates/Athletes & their
Wives. That group created a myriad of Social events,
and a cruise, during more than (35) years or so
together.
He and His Brother Jerry, helped create the
Rochester Club, on Bob’s Lake, Ontario,
Canada, (an hour or so North of Kingston).
He loved to fish, sail, read, and converse with people as well.
During almost (1) year of the Covid outbreak
Uncle Art seemed so Geo/Isolated & disconnected
from his normal social interaction just like
all nursing home residents, as well as most Americans. Yet all that “confined space,” experience on the Amick enabled Uncle Art to paddle thru Covid remarkably.
…to be continued…
Uncle Art, as well as, Aunt Pauline were so generous
in sharing their time, and love with their
Children, Grandchildren, & Great Grandchildren
as well. In their expanded Family: education
is a norm, and expectation for all!
Uncle Art was so many things to me:
Great Friend, mentor, with a wealth of knowledge,
experience, and so many refinements.
He lost most of his hearing during the War,
yet when he received his cochlear implants about
(15) years ago it was like he was in a new World.
I’ll miss you so much Uncle Art! I sometimes wonder
if your middle initial (C) stood for:
Confident, Calm, Compassionate, Caring,
Can Do, & oh well Carburetor!
Memories are forever!
Rock Steady Uncle Art……. Love Billy