Obituary of Harold Burton Bennett

~~On September 8, the same exact date of his own death, son Terry Bennett greeted his father at Heaven's door.  Bert, or "Uncle Bert" as he was fondly known by many, took his dog for a walk, sat down to rest and moved on to a better world. He will be greatly missed not only by family, friends and neighbors, but also by those in the "morning coffee" groups and at the diners and restaurants where he enjoyed breakfast and/or lunch.

     Born and raised in Owego with his four brothers, Paul, Ray, Ralph and Chuck, Bert began his career at Stakmore where he learned to use every machine in the factory making tables, chairs and other types of furniture. Bert then joined the workforce at IBM Owego, later transferred to IBM Fishkill for a couple of years and then transferred to the Huntsville, Alabama, IBM facility where he helped launch men to the moon. After a few years there, he transferred back to IBM Owego and with his wife moved into a new house on Fairfield Road in Newark Valley that he built along with the help of many friends who were also carpenters, stonemasons, etc. Eventually the couple moved back to the village of Owego, once again settling in among the "Flat Rats" on Talcott Street, to the very house where he had obtained the license to marry his high school sweetheart.

     Having played basketball and football at OFA, he continued his interest in sports and participated in the "less strenuous" games as time went on. He was an avid bowler for many years and traveled around the state bowling in the VFW sponsored tournaments. Then he took up golf, enjoying friendly competition with friends at the many courses in the area with moderate success.  Bert enjoyed time spent at family gatherings, camping, fishing in Canada and the Adirondacks, traveling to visit kids and grandkids in Alabama and Tennessee, honing his carpentry and woodworking skills and just enjoying life "carrying on" with friends and neighbors.
Predeceased by his wife Elaine, son Terry, his brothers Ralph, Ray and Paul, he is survived by his son Greg and wife Donna of Huntsville, AL, four grandchildren, six great grandchildren in Alabama, Tennessee and Oregon, his brother Chuck in North Carolina, sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews and a special friend, Unadine Wiseman, of Montrose.

     Funeral services will be held Friday, September 15, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 15 Park St., Owego.  Burial will follow in the Tioga Cemetery.  The family will receive friends, Friday, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made in Harold Burton Bennett’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Smile Train or Boys Town.