Robert Edward Bennett, Sr.

Robert Bennett, Sr was born on Oct. 7, 1937 in Quincy, MA, and he passed away on August 29 of this year in his home in North Fort Myers, FL.   Bob was married to the “love of his life” Betty Diane Eldredge Bennett, for 66 years, and they raised their five children, David Scott, Robert Edward, Jr., Cheryl Lynn, Gregory Alan and Lisa Ann in Chatham.  
  Bob wore many hats in his work life — he was a Chatham police officer in the early seventies, a Hood milkman, a Hill’s Food Service employee, and a Quincy shipyard worker before working for the family business until his retirement.  One former Chatham resident recalls a story that exemplifies Bob’s career as a police officer. “In 1972, my mother called the Chatham Police for my nefarious and illegal act of refusing to wash the dinner dishes.  Officer Bennett showed up.  Very professionally, he pacified my mother and once behind closed doors of my bedroom, he couldn’t stop quietly laughing, and said to me, ‘In all my years, this is the first time I’ve been called in on a dishwashing dispute.’  As he wiped off tears of laughter, he said ‘Just do the dishes.’ He won my unwavering respect that day.”  Betty recalls he couldn’t wait to tell her this story, and that he loved his time as a Chatham police officer.
Despite moving to Florida, Bob remained a Boston sports fan; he loved watching the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins. He had a love for listening to older music and dancing to it as well, and when he was able he loved to ride his bike around Cape Cod. He was a man who worked hard to raise his children with his love, Betty, by his side. He will be dearly missed by many.
Bob is survived by his wife, Betty Bennett; his children Scott Bennett (Karen), Selinsgrove, PA;  Bobby Bennett, Harwich;  Cheri O’Connell (Sean), North Fort Myers, FL;  Greg Bennett (Marta), Harwich; and Lisa Winter (Kevin), Alva, FL. and many other family members too many to list here.  Bob was known as “Papa” to his 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his parents, George Edward Bennett and Helen Elizabeth Pillsbury Bennett and his sister, Carolyn Bennett Barricklow.
A graveside memorial service will be held in the spring of 2025 at the Seaside Cemetery in Chatham.