Dennis John Bennett, a devoted patron of the East Hampton Library, “always had his nose in a book,” his partner of 48 years, Loree Ann Gambino, said. Mysteries, in particular, were a favorite. He “couldn’t put them down until he figured out who did it.”
Mr. Bennett, who lived most of his life in East Hampton and graduated from high school here, died on Oct. 25 at San Simeon by the Sound in Greenport, about two weeks after falling at home. He was 95.
He was an enlisted Air Force veteran who achieved the rank of sergeant as a mechanic. Stationed from 1947 to 1950 in the Philippines, “he enjoyed his time there. He used to tell me all kinds of stories,” Ms. Gambino said.
Mr. Bennett went on to work for General Electric as an engineer before returning to East Hampton and starting his own landscaping business. He later scaled back the landscaping work and took on household jobs as a handyman.
Ms. Gambino recalled him as a strong-willed man with a “wonderful sense of humor.”
“His goal in life was to make me laugh,” she said, “and he was also extremely romantic, always bringing me flowers on my birthday.”
Mr. Bennett enjoyed nature and animals, especially Whitney, a dog who kept the couple company for 13 years.
He was born on Oct. 10, 1928, at home on Three Mile Harbor Road, in the house he would later return to after his military service and some years upstate. His parents were John Dayton Bennett and the former May Mulchy.
A brother, Thomas William Bennett, and a sister, Mary Rose Bennett, died before him. Mr. Bennett leaves a nephew, Raymond Bennett, and a niece, Bridget Ann Bennett.
Mr. Bennett was cremated. A graveside service will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery on Cedar Street on Dec. 1 at noon. Memorial donations have been suggested to the library that he loved, online at easthamptonlibrary.org.
