Arthur John Bennett, 92, of Newtown passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 2, 2011. Art was born June 1, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York and was the son of the late Arthur J. Bennett Sr. and Cecilia (Gallagher) Bennett, also of Newtown.
After graduating from Pratt Institute with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Art enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he met his beloved wife, Susie Lynn (Burns) Bennett (Deceased). Art and Susie were stationed in Sicily where Art worked to streamline, for ship repair, the delivery of parts from the US to the naval yard in Sicily. Lieutenant Arthur Bennett was honorably discharged from the US Navy in November, 1945 and from the US Navy Reserves in October, 1955.
Art Bennett was an entrepreneur of several businesses. Even as he worked as a sales engineer for Meyercord Company, he owned and operated Arlyn Farms, the Dolly Madison Inn, SL Bennett Transportation Systems – transportation for special needs and public school students, Medi-Chair Coach – ambulance and chair cars, and Cars by Crisi – limousine services.
Art is most proud of his extended family. He and Susie raised 8 children and, at the time of his passing, Art had 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He is survived by Bruce Bernard Bennett and his wife Debby of West Cornwall; Patricia Bennett-Bigham and her husband Keith of Newtown; Dennis Matthew Bennett and his wife Joan of Newtown; Conrad Calvin Bennett and his significant other Stacey Moscaritolo of Ringwood, NJ; Jeanne Bennett Merola and her husband Frank of Rocky Hill; and Karen Ann Bennett and her husband Drew Foster of Philomath, OR. He is predeceased by his sons Russell John Bennett and Gregory Gerard Bennett. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will miss his easy smile and good humor.
Mr. Bennett worked feverishly with many other families with special needs children, the Connecticut Legislature, and Governor John Dempsey to establish the Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation and a class for children with special needs in Newtown. He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus achieving the 3rd and 4th degrees. He was a member and a past vice president of the Board of Directors of the Northwest Connecticut Public Safety Communication Center. Art was an avid traveler; he and his wife Susie enjoyed trips around the world from Spain to Argentina as well as arranging several family vacations – starting with the family trip around the United States in the “Blue Bus”. He also loved learning how to use the latest electronic gadgets. His energy, creativity, and spark will be greatly missed.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5th at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown Thursday morning at 11:30am. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Rose Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics Connecticut at 2666 State Street, Suite #1, Hamden, CT 06517-2232 http://www.soct.org/support/donation.shtml or Ability Beyond Disability (a not for profit organization that helps people with physical and mental disabilities to discover, build and celebrate their abilities) at 4 Berkshire Blvd., Bethel, CT 06801 https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1003233&code=General. To leave an online condolence go to www.honanfh.com

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