CHARLES PAUL BENNETT

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CHARLES PAUL BENNETT Peacefully and with his family by his side, Charles Paul Bennett died on January 24, 2000. He was recently predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years, Dorothy Beatrice Bennett (nee Gray). Left to mourn his passing is his dear brother, Bernard Francis Bennett who provided companionship in his last days. He will be sorely missed by his children, Judith (Brendan) Mary-Jane, Jamie (Shelley), Patrick (Norma), Michael (Jennifer) and Brendan. He was predeceased by his eldest son John Gray Bennett; his brother, Robert Lawrence Bennett and his parents, Marcel Fernand Bennett and Mary Elizabeth Bennett (nee Meagher). Sharing this loss are his ten grandchildren, Laura, Ainsley, Nancy, Caleigh, Max, Miranda, Chelsea, Courtney, Evan and Calvin. His memory will endure with sisters-in-law, Jacqueline Fregeau and Mary Bennett as well as their children, his dear nephews and nieces. Born May 20, 1918, in Winnipeg, Charles attended Holy Cross School and later, St. Pauls High School where he excelled in boxing and football. He was a teacher as well as an aircraft mechanic with the R.C.A.F. before pursuing his true calling in engineering. He obtained a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1950 from the University of Manitoba and began his career as an engineer in the oil and gas industry in Alberta. In 1957 he accepted a teaching position with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba. In 1958 he and his family moved to England where he obtained a Masters of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Birmingham. The following year he returned to his position as Professor at the University of Manitoba. He also accepted a one year teaching contract with Queens University, Belfast, North Ireland and a sessional teaching position with the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. He retired from the University of Manitoba in 1986 and spent his early retirement years volunteering with C.E.S.O. and latter years living life to the fullest in France and Arizona. Charlies children fondly remember dads daily horseback rides through the fields of St. Norbert, travelling the Irish countryside packed in a VW van, the motorcycle enthusiast with the impressive collection, one even making it to France to tour Charlie across Normandy. His love of motorcycles was only surpassed by his love of airplanes, two of which he built from blueprints and his personal favourite, the Luscombe. His children especially cherished summer days with dad at the Lake of the Woods where we watched his languid front crawl from dock to dock and sat with him at his favourite spot on the Dance Hall dock. Papa Charlie leaves a lasting example to his ten grandchildren. He spoke to them as his peers, he taught them the value of honesty and self worth, he encouraged critical thinking and left them with hand made treasures tailored to each personality in the 4-Max row boat, the go-cart, the playhouse, the sleigh, the music stand. He was a man of adventure, of science, of fairness and compassion with a special fondness for wildlife protection. He founded a wildlife agency and worked passionately towards a ban of leg-hold trapping. We have been blessed to have had this role model in our lives. The family extends deep gratitude to the staff of the Palliative Care Ward of the St. Boniface Hospital. They brought peace to his last weeks and comfort to his family during this difficult time. Funeral Service will be held at Holy Rosary Church, 510 River Ave., Winnipeg on Thursday, January 27, at 2:00 p.m. (A.S.L. interpretation) In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Professor Charles Paul Bennett Thesis Award, Private Funding, Room 179, Continuing Education Complex, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 26, 2000