Joseph Francis Bennett, 75, of Chesire, CT, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2024 after suffering an illness. Joe was born on March 19,1949 to William K. Bennett and Alicia Mangan Bennett. Joe grew up in Ansonia, CT and attended Notre Dame High School in West Haven. He later moved to Laurel Beach in Milford, CT where he raised his family. After his first wife Linda passed away in 2009, Joe was married to Terri Higgins and they retired together, making a home in Cheshire.
Joe attended Fordham University and later in life went to a local college obtaining his bachelor’s degree. He learned computer programming and worked at Remington in Bridgeport most of his career. Joe was always quick with a joke or a story, and he made us all laugh for many years. He loved to be around his large extended family at Laurel Beach or Black Point. Many in his family called him “Big Joe” or “Red” or “Uncle Joe.” Joe was proud to have attended what he called one of the greatest events in history, Woodstock in 1969. In one of many adventures, he once drove cross country in a school bus and spent time living in Hawaii. He loved the Beatles, the Jets, Yankees, and UConn Huskies.
Besides his wife Terri, survivors include daughter, Janessa Lynn Bennett of Ansonia; son, Neyah Kane (Melissa) Bennett of Madison; siblings, Kateri Walsh of Springfield, MA, William Bennett (Mary) of Longmeadow, MA, Alicia Mitchell (Kerry) of Boston, MA, and Mary Bennett (Tom) of Longmeadow, MA; sister in laws Maxine (Jeffrey) Sember of Seymour, and Eileen Bennett of Stratford; brother in law, Robert (Shirley) Valonis of Stuart, FL; grandchildren, William J. Bennett, Laurel J. Bennett, Ella M. Bennett, and Keira Bloom; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his first wife, Linda Bennett, his parents, William and Alicia, sister, Rena Laughlin, and brother John Bennett.
A memorial mass will be offered on Thursday July 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at the Church of the Assumption, 61 North Cliff Street, Ansonia, CT 06401. If anyone needs assistance call the Bennett Funeral Home 203 – 735-1578.
