John Richard Bennett

John Richard Bennett passed away on July 11, 2025, in Henderson, Nevada. He was born on August 11, 1941, in New Brunswick, New Jersey to Harry Bennett and Helen Duffy-Bennett, the youngest of six children: Harry Jr,, Clair, Margaret,, Robert, and Mary, in a very Irish Catholic family.

A surprise late in life, baby, John started his journey in life as a blue baby, but he never let anything stop him from having a full and wonderful life. His father, Harry, was a Merchant Marine, a member of Local 333, and a tug boat captain that was a skilled cook and fisherman. His mother, Helen, became the first female Middlesex County Sheriff in New Brunswick.

John met his beautiful wife, Yvonne Linde, who worked in a bakery. He would often come in for his favorite donut and orange juice just to spend time with her. John and Yvonne were married on January 25, 1964, in a beautiful church in Milltown, New Jersey, surrounded by family and friends. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named after his father, John Charles Bennett, on November 28, 1964. They lived in Highland Park, New Jersey, down the street from his parents. On March 6, 1969, they welcomed their first daughter, Christine Marie, and then on May 14, 1970, they welcomed their youngest daughter, Tracy Elizabeth, into the family.

The family moved to North Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1971, where they raised their children and formed strong bonds with their neighbors and friends. Always the go-to house for neighborhood kids, John would make sure they always had the most fun they could. He built a tree house, put up an above-ground pool, converted the pool into an ice rink during the winter, coached Little League and soccer, helped out in the snack shack, went to every play, dance recital, or choir performance that was going on. The Bennett home was always a safe haven for anyone in need of a place to hang out.

John was a member of United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 24 and transferred to Local 9 in 1977. He worked for Buist Mechanical, his brother at Robert Bennett Mechanical, and then Bennett Brothers Mechanical until he retired in 2002.

John was one of the most gentle, kind, loving souls to walk the earth, a sentiment that is often said about him by anyone who got the chance to meet him. Always ready to help a neighbor out if there was a plumbing emergency in the neighborhood, or to do school or social outing pickup or drop off. He spent many years as a Boy Scout Assistant Scout Master, helping young men shape their lives for the better. Even after his son was out of Scouts, John spent many years helping the Boy Scouts out whenever he could; he believed it to be one of the best experiences that a young man could have, even encouraging his grandson to reach the rank of Eagle Scout.

John was always there for his children no matter what was needed, what time it was, or where they were. He was the best father a child could ask for, quiet but strong, and always there to provide his love and support.

John's love for classic cars and oldies music created wonderful memories at car shows, especially his favorite event, Lead East, which he and his wife, Yvonne, would attend for years. He looked forward to seeing the old bands, cars, and friends they made along the way. John truly loved everything about the old cars, even planning to one day refurbish his wife's 1964 JetFire. His love of cars helped him to form long-lasting bonds with many of his friends, family, and neighbors.

John also loved spending time with his old friends from school and attending big family events. If you were to ask him what his favorite part of his life was, it would be hard for him to answer because he loved it all, especially becoming a grandfather. He was blessed with four grandsons: Cory Bennett, Dyan Storteboom, James Kulik, and Jesse Bennett. As the family grew and the family blended, John was blessed with four bonus grandchildren: Kobie and Savannah Webb, Alicia Szelc, and Alexandra Clark-Callahan, whom he always treated like they had always been a part of the family from day one. He could not be more proud than when he was watching his grandkids accomplish the things they set their minds to. He did his best to be at every football game, Boy Scout ceremony, birthday party, graduation, or just hanging out to spend a little quality time; he was up for anything.

John and Yvonne packed up their home in New Jersey in 2022 after 51 years and moved to Henderson, Nevada, to live with their daughter, Christine, and her husband Phil. It was a new adventure that they hoped would last a long time. Unfortunately, after years of living with asbestosis, as well as other chronic conditions, he didn’t get enough of a chance to see all the things that he wanted.; however, he was able to go on a cross-country road trip from Nevada to Florida for his eldest grandson’s wedding in 2024. The trip was wonderful, but tragic, as on the way home, one of his grandsons, James, passed away. Always the rock of the family, he was heartbroken but strong. John even became a great-grandfather in December 2024 as the family welcomed beautiful little Mila into the world, his grandson, Cory and Kaylee Bennett’s first child.

When you talk about survivors, John was the Energizer Bunny, nothing could stop him from going on. He survived cancers, strokes, asbestosis, bleeding ulcers, skin conditions, heart failure, near death work experiences, and raising a family in New Jersey. His strength and ability to bounce back from just about everything was truly a blessing.

John was preceded in death by hIs parents, brothers sisters; one grandson, James, and many cousins. He is survived by his loving dedicated wife, Yvonne Bennett; his children: John (Lisa) Bennett, Christine (Philip) Webb, and Tracy Bennett; grandchildren: Cory (Kaylee) Bennett, Dylan Storteboom, Jesse Bennett, Kobie (Joseph) Pomar Webb, Savannah Webb, Alicia Szelc, and Alexandra (Tim ) Clark-Calahan; great granddaughter, Mila Bennett; great grandson, John Timothy Clark-Calahan; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and coworkers he adored.

A visitation for John will be held Monday, July 21, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 PM, both at at Palm Henderson Mortuary, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, Nevada 89015. John will be laid to rest in Palm Henderson Cemetery in Henderson, Nevada.