Thomas T. Bennett Jr. ’45

GORHAM – Thomas Thoburn Bennett Jr., died at Maine Medical Dec. 20, 2014, from cardiac arrest at the age of 88. He was born in Portland March 2, 1926, to Helen B. Curit and Thomas T. Bennett Sr. of Chebeague Island. Tom attended Deering High School class of 1944 although he left early to go Maine Maritime Academy graduating with a nautical science degree on June 16, 1945, as a third deck officer. He was in the Merchant Marines from 1945 to 1950 and sailed on liberty ships, victory ships, and tankers as 3rd mate. In 1950 he was called into active duty in the Korean War as LTJG and served until 1954 on the APD 136 “Carpeliotti”. He married Norma L. Howard in 1950 and they settled Gorham where they have resided since. Tom enjoyed a career as a Prudential Insurance salesman from 1954 – 1960 and then as Vice President of H.A. Stiles Co. from 1960 – 1988. Tom was an avid down hill and cross country skier and a founding father of the Down East Ski Club in 1948. He was a member of the National Ski Patrol, #2833 volunteering every weekend at Pleasant Mountain, now Shawnee Peak. “Uncle Tom” was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club 4000 footers which he hiked an astounding seven times. He also belonged to the Hiram Lodge of South Portland and was raised as a Master Mason in November of 1954, and was also a member of the Kora Shrine for 50 years. Tom was inducted to the Maine Ski Hall of Fame in 2009. Whether it was his former property on Hio Ridge, Moose Pond, Bridgton, or the yard in the Bank Development each was meticulously landscaped and maintained by Tom. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Norma; son, Peter Joshua Bennett of Draper, Utah, daughter, Jody L. Bennett of South Portland; brother-in-law, Albert A. Howard of South Portland; cousin, Joan Robinson of Chebeague Island; and grandson, Aaron J. Bennett of Nevada. He was predeceased his father, Thomas T. Bennett Sr., and mother, Helen C. Bennett. Tom’s family would like to thank the staff at Maine Medical Center and our cherished family, friends and neighbors. A graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 30, at the Eastern Cemetery, Main St., Gorham. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.doblyfuneralchapels.com.

Donations in memory of Tom may be made to the Appalachian Mountain Club or the Russ Haggett Memorial Fund care of Lake Region High School Attention Principal, 1877 Roosevelt Trail Naples, ME.