John C. “J.C.” Bennett, 68, of Ocean View, Del., went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 1, 2016, after a brief illness. He was born in Sharptown, Md., to Victor and Mildred Bennett.
With his family, he moved to the Ocean View area as a child. From his early years as a lifeguard in Bethany Beach, Del., to his later years fishing and going on nature walks, Bennett was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing and birdwatching.
Bennett graduated from Lord Baltimore High School in 1967. He was a member of the Delaware National Guard and worked for the phone company. He retired from Verizon in 2008, after 34 years of service. He and his wife, Patricia, settled down in Clarksville, where they raised their daughter, Kristen.
Bennett was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Victor Bennett, and his brother, Leland “Lee” Bennett. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, with whom he shared 41 wonderful years of marriage, and his daughter, P. Kristen Bennett.
The family thanked the medical staff at Atlantic General Hospital and Peninsula Regional Medical Center, not only for the wonderful care that they provided, but also for their kindness and compassion.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church, 81 Central Avenue, Ocean View, Del. The memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggested memorial contributions to the Delaware Center for Inlands Bays—James Farm Ecological Preserve; 39375 Inlet Rd.; Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Condolences may be sent online at www.melsonfuneralservices.com.