Donald J. Bennett

Award-winning journalist Donald J. Bennett died March 5, 2026. He was 84 years old. Don was best known for his years of investigative reporting that peeled away the secrecy that hid the widespread pollution toll of the Ciba Geigy plant in Toms River. That work inspired a citizen uprising that led to the closing of the plant and is recounted in Dan Fagin's Pulitzer Prize winning novel "Toms River". When he was covering the social justice story of a county detective dying of cancer but barred by Ocean County officials from leaving her pension to her same sex partner, New York filmmaker Cynthia Wade sought his help in telling the story. He appeared in her documentary film "Freeheld," which won an academy award. Those officials reversed their position under media and public pressure days before the detective died. The same officials called Bennett the "dean of Ocean County journalists" when he retired, citing his thoroughness and fairness. A similar tribute came from the New Jersey legislature years earlier.

He was inducted into the Toms River Schools Hall of Fame in 2002. He won numerous awards from the New Jersey Press Association, including it's top public service award for his early Ciba Geigy revelations in 1984.

During his career he worked for a dozen newspapers covering Ocean County. He retired as the senior editorial board member of the Ocean County Observer.

In the late 1970s he helped convince Dover Township officials to seek state Green Acres funds to build the Winding River Skating Center. When it opened, in 1980 Don spent the next 20 years coaching ice hockey to hundreds of kids. Coach Bennett pioneered the Winding River House League and served as a Trustee and Treasurer for the Toms River Hockey Club. His teams won numerous tournaments, championships, and league titles.

While in high school he worked summers as a Dover Township lifeguard at Shelter Cove, where he met his wife Arlene, Ortley Beach and Island Beach in Bayway. When Runyon "Junior" Doss began his Silver Ridge Park retirement community he created a beach on Wrangle Beach and hired Bennett as the lifeguard there.

As a member of the Toms River Jaycees Bennett did the publicity for its Miss Ocean County Pageant, held in the Toms River Grade School Auditorium on Hyers Street. He was a long time member and past president of the Dover Township Homeowners and Tenants Association.

He moderated living history panels for the Ocean County Library, interviewing long time residents about the recollections of the county's past and their roles in it.

Bennett was born in Somerville, N.J., the son of the late John R. Bennett and T. Elizabeth Bennett. They lived in Franklin and Sparta before moving to Toms River, where his father got a job as a school administrator and would soon become the superintendent. Bennett graduated from Toms River High School and studied at Monmouth College, The Citadel, and Ocean County College before graduating from Stockton State College in 1975 while working as a journalist.

A devoted husband and father, he lived his life as his sons' biggest fan. From Coach Bennett on the ice to supporting their eldest son’s horse competitions, Don never missed a moment to show up for his six boys. His presence was a constant source of strength and encouragement, and his commitment to his wife, boys and grandkids was the cornerstone of his life.

The highlight of every year was the annual summer camping trip—a time for adventure, bonding, and making memories around the campfire that his sons will carry forever. He taught them the value of being present, the importance of hard work, and the joy of shared experiences.

Donald is survived by his wife of 61 years, Arlene, and six sons, Michael, Scott and his wife Elisa, Christopher and his wife Jennifer, Daniel and his wife Jen, Donald Jr. and his wife Tiffany, and Joseph and his wife Kristin. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Noah, Tristen, Kiana, Kieran, Kendall, Emerson, Christian, Bailey, Hayden and Avery. His sisters, Mary Susan and Barbara Diane also survive him.

Bennett enjoyed gardening, crabbing, beach combing, and family time.

A visitation will be held at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753, on Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 1:00 pm until the funeral service at 4:30 PM.

Donations may be made to one of Donald’s favorite charitable organizations in his honor. The Carter Center https://www.cartercenter.org and and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) splcenter.org are two organizations that have been near and dear to Donald's heart.

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