Obituary of Nelson William Bennett

Nelson William

Bennett

1927 - 2021

Pasadena, NL

It is with sadness, the family of Nelson William (N. W.) Bennett announces his passing on August 29^th, 2021 in his ninety-fourth year.

Leaving to celebrate his life are his wife Elsie, his daughter Beverley (Glenn Kirby) and granddaughter Heidi Kirby (Tony Urquhart), brothers Don, Roy (Eva), Lloyd (Vera), Graham (Rhoda), sisters Marion Pye, Alma Vollick (George), in-laws Clayton French (Joan), Shirley French, Margaret French, nieces and nephews, other relatives, friends and the Haines family of Pasadena.

Nelson is predeceased by his parents Hettie and Max Bennett, brother Howard, infant daughter Margaret Deborah and baby Bennett, Elsie’s parents Hazel and Harvey French, in-laws Allan French, Joe French, June Barter, Ethel Bennett, and Leonard Pye.

Nelson, born in Green’s Harbour, Trinity Bay, left home at the age of 16 to start his 34-year teaching career with his first posting to Brig Bay on the Northern Peninsula, where he also started his lay ministry.  His teaching career brought him to Midland (Pasadena) where he became involved in all aspects of community life.

Nelson had a wide range of interests which he brought to his teaching and community involvement.  He loved music, constructed a violin, and learned to play it while living in Brig Bay.  He loved travel, especially family-led tours of Europe.  He enjoyed farming on a larger scale in Midland and backyard experimental gardening at home.  He developed skills in pottery and painting and several trades such as welding and masonry and as his granddaughter would say, “Granddad can do anything.”  These skills were primarily self-taught using his collection of “how-to” books, before the days of the internet.  His interests also ranged to financial management and investment and, after retiring from teaching, he became an independent financial advisor.

Nelson served his community and province well by volunteering in municipal governance, serving 18 years as Councillor and as Mayor of Pasadena.  He planned and designed the sports field and green space that now bears his name and was involved in the rural development movement and was president of the Newfoundland-Labrador Rural Development Council from 1977-1980. He served as lay reader in his church for many years, was a member of the Lions Club, a member of the Grenfell Campus Advisory Board and the Premier’s Advisory Council on the Economy, as well as numerous other boards and committees.

He was particularly proud of his 21-year military career.  He first joined the ROTP program during his university years and served in Germany as part of the post-war reconstruction.  He rose in the ranks of the Militia and, as Major, became “A” Company Commander and Deputy Commander, Royal Newfoundland Regiment.  He capped his military experience as honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor in the 1970s.  He was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Corner Brook Branch.  

Following his wishes, cremation has taken place.  The funeral service is planned for Saturday, September 4^th, 2021, at 2 pm at St. David of Wales Church in Pasadena.  Interment will follow at the Anglican Cemetery, Church Street, Pasadena.  A Visitation will take place 2-4 pm on Friday, September 3^rd, also at St. David’s Church in Pasadena.  With Covid restrictions, the funeral service is limited to 55 people.

The family extends thanks to family and friends who have reached out to offer support and prayers for Nelson.  Thank you to the staff of Western Health for their compassion and care during Nelson’s brief hospital stay.  Donations, in Nelson’s memory, may be made to St. David of Wales Anglican Church in Pasadena.