Ralph Colburn Bennett

LOUDON - Ralph Colburn Bennett, 91, a lifelong resident of Loudon Ridge, passed away Thursday afternoon, September 24, 2015 at Havenwood Heritage Heights on Concord Heights after a short period of declining health.

He was born in Boston on January 21, 1924 and raised on the Ridge where he attended a one-room school house through 8th grade. He then graduated from Belmont High School in 1941. He was a lifetime member of the Loudon Ridge Advent Christian/Family Bible Church.

Ralph invested his life (except for a brief stint as a Loudon Grade School Custodian) into operating the Bennett Family Farm on Loudon Ridge, continuing on where his parents, the late Harry and Marion Bennett, had started. He cared for his mother on the farm until she passed away at 102. He cut wood for use in heating and cooking on the farm. He raised chickens that produced hatching eggs, raised cattle for milk and beef, grew vegetables, and gathered sap from the rock maples on the farm from which he made delicious pure maple syrup products for many years. He continued the egg route that his father had started, across the Ridge and throughout the Laconia area, delivering the many products that he had home grown.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his ex-wife Phyllis (Dotson) Bennett and his sister-in-law Thelma (Dotson) Bennett. He was recently pre-deceased by his brother Raymond Bennett of Epping. He was also predeceased by his half-brother Asa Bennett and his wife, Esther, of Franklin; by his niece, Dava Bennett, of Franklin; by his half-brother, Miles Bennett, and his wife, Elizabeth, of Belmont and by a nephew, Miles Bennett, Jr., of Belmont and California.

He is survived by his sister-in-law, Patricia Bennett of Epping; his nephew, James Bennett, of North Carolina and his son, Nicholas Bennett, and his son, Maxim Bennett, of Vermont; his nephew Stephen Bennett and his wife, Cheryl, of Loudon Ridge; his niece, Marilyn Symonds of California, her daughter, Nancy and her sons, Michael and Jamie; his niece, Ruth Bennett, her daughter, Kathy of Belmont, and son Gary; his nephew, Donald Bennett, and his wife, Barbara, of Munsonville and family; and his nephew, Dr. William Bennett, of Franklin, and family.

Ralph was a stamp collector and especially enjoyed collecting cancelled stamps from mail sent from relatives and friends traveling abroad. He excelled in geography, enjoyed talking politics and had an amazing memory of people and historical events. He will be missed by all of his family, friends and neighbors.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be held at the Bennett Funeral Home at 209 North Main Street on Thursday October 1, 2015 from 7pm to 9pm. A graveside service and burial will be held at the Loudon Ridge Cemetery on Friday October 2, 2015 at 1pm with Rev. Steve Ludwick officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the Loudon Ridge Family Bible Church or to the charity of one’s choice in his name.

The Bennett Funeral Home of Concord is in charge of the arrangements.