Obituary of Robert "Benny" Bennett

Our Father and friend Bob Bennett passed away on Monday February 27th, 2023, at his second home, Westwind Memory Care in Santa Cruz where he lived since 2018. Bob passed peacefully in his sleep from natural causes after an almost 15-year battle with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Bob was born in Sacramento, CA in 1933 to Allen and Lu Bennett. Bob has a brother Jack Bennett of Stockton and a sister Connie Cenini of Palm Desert. His family relocated to Santa Cruz in 1947 and he graduated Santa Cruz High School in 1950 and then attended San Jose State while working for H.M. Gousha Map Company. Bob met our Mother Sharee’ (Smith) in the late 50’s and they were married in 1964. Our Mother Sharee’ passed in 2011. They were both members of the West Cliff Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Over the years they helped many friends and strangers that were down on their luck by opening their home until they could get back on their feet. Their home was known as the “Bennett Hostel.” Bob worked over 33 years for the City of Santa Cruz as a Draftsman and Associate Planner. He was nicknamed Benny by his co-workers. Benny would go out of his way to help anyone that came to the planning counter and even redline and redraw plans on the spot to expedite the permitting process. Dad was a gifted Potter and Pen & Ink artist. His drawings of Santa Cruz Historical Homes and Structures were used for the cover of the 1977 Santa Cruz County Telephone Directory. Bob was a lover of Music, especially Big Band Jazz and Frank Sinatra. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could make anyone smile with his antics and jokes. Bob and Sharee’ have 4 children, Todd (Debbie), Michael (Lia), Bradley (Ruth) and Daughter Shelon (Joan). Grandson Jonathan and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Family Matters Home Care, Westwind Memory Care, Dr. Thanh Vu, Watsonville Community Hospital, Hospice of Santa Cruz County and Santa Cruz Memorial for all their support and kindness during our dad’s journey. A formal service is not planned at this time. His remains will be interred along with his parents in a Niche at the Santa Cruz Memorial Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Bob’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org/donate