Gary J. Bennett

Dr. Gary J. Bennett, age 66 of Potsdam, NY, passed away at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital on May 18th. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary’s Church on Friday, May 25th at 10:30 am with Rev. Kevin J. O’Brien and Rev. Stephen Rocker co-celebrant. Burial will be a later date at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the Garner Funeral Home on Thursday, May 24 from 3-7 pm. Contributions in his memory can be made to the Potsdam Humane Society 17 Madrid Ave. Potsdam, NY 13676, the Potsdam Booster Club 29 Leroy St. Potsdam, NY 13676 or NPR 80 East Main St. Canton, NY 13617 . Thoughts, memories and condolences can be shared @www.garnerfh.com.

Gary is survived by his wife, Patty Bradshaw Bennett; son Christopher Bennett and his fiancée Alesia Vaccari; daughters Jamie (Willi) Steinrotter and Elizabeth Bennett; grandchildren, Emmie and Ava Steinrotter; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Susan Goodnow, and his brother, Robert Bennett.

Dr. Gary J. Bennett was born December 13, 1951, in Potsdam, NY, to the late Norval Bennett and Mary Elizabeth Kelley. He attended St. Patrick’s in Brasher Falls before graduating from Holy Family High School in Massena in 1969. Gary graduated from Cornell University in 1973 and the University of Perugia in 1980. On July 2, 1971, he married his high school sweetheart and Prom Queen to his King, Patty Bradshaw, at the Newman Center in Potsdam.

Gary worked for the Cornell University Veterinary School as a field Veterinarian for Quality Milk Promotion Services, retiring after 30 years. He then went to work for Town and Country Veterinary Clinic part time where he continued until his illness.

He was a member of both the Potsdam Humane Society and SUNY Canton Vet Tech Advisory Boards, a former regional representative to the New York State Veterinary Medical Society, and former member of the Potsdam Junior Hockey Board. He also coached his children throughout various levels of Potsdam Junior Hockey and Potsdam Youth Soccer and Baseball.

Gary enjoyed fishing and really looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Quebec with his buddies. He played hockey with the Potsdam Potbellies until his health began to fail, and was an avid reader. His children were his pride and joy, and he loved following their sports accomplishments and teams, especially while they were in college. He relished in a good practical joke, both as the perpetrator and target. He enjoyed playing cards, especially with his granddaughters, and driving around listening to NPR. Gary especially loved traveling with Patty and friends, and was able to visit Alaska, Hawaii, Paris, and London all in the last year. Above all, Gary will be remembered for his warm smile, kind heart, and that special twinkle in his eye.