Alan Bruce Bennett – 85, passed away peacefully on October 22nd, 2026 to reunite with the love of his life of 62 years, Aldeane “Deanie” Bennett.
Al was born December 4th, 1940 in Manchester, Connecticut where he spent his childhood. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1958, University of Connecticut (BS and MS) in Dairy Husbandry 1962 and 1965, respectively.
He was an alumni of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, a member of UConn’s marching band, playing trumpet, and an ROTC cadet with the US Army. When he graduated he fulfilled his active duty obligation as an commissioned officer and ultimately attaining the rank of Captain.
In all, his military career spanned from 1958 to 1996. Throughout those years he was attached to the 5th Battalion 38th Artillery and later became an MP with the National Guard and was attached to multiple MP units culminating as Company Commander of the 972nd MP unit where he completed his military career (to this day, his footlockers are neatly packed and in full readiness)
He proudly worked for HP Hood and Sons dairy from 1972 to 1974, Sealtest/Breyers from 1974 to 1976 and then continued working in food technology at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) (aka Natick Labs), Research & Development from 1976 until he retired in 2008. His work brought him to many places including Japan, Korea, Germany, Panama and many domestic locations.
He and Deanie began having children prior to beginning his active duty in the U.S. Army in 1961. He was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Benning Georgia. After his active duty he returned to Connecticut beginning his Master’s program at UConn. After graduating and working in the dairy industry he was hired by HP Hood and Sons in Charlestown, Mass in 1972. It was at this time that he moved the family of five to North Reading, Massachusetts where he lived for 54 years.
Devoted husband, brother, father, uncle, friend, Al was known for many things by many people…DeMolay “Dad Bennett”, Past Master Mason, Past Shriner’s Boss Clown, ret. MP Captain Bennett, Grandpa AND Grandad, trumpeter, choir singer, gardener and farmer, sailor, Mr Fixit, scientist, Master Procrastinator (fyi, there is no need to remind him every 6 months that something needs doing; he’ll get to it…), part-time firefighter…unintentional…IYKYK), teacher, mentor.
He had a gentle, loving kindness to all his family, friends and pets. He never questioned people’s choices, instead he found ways to be supportive, making him the well respected man we all look to emulate. He was both lighthouse and lifeboat to many.
Spending much of his childhood along the Connecticut shore and spending many days messing around with boats with his mother, father and brothers, Al had a lifelong fondness for the ocean and sailing. But he also loved his ground. He maintained a large garden and a lawn in North Reading. Woe to the woodchucks that crossed that fence line! He embraced all aspects of yardwork (maybe not all the extra work Mom created for him!) and homeownership.
Joining Aldersgate United Methodist Church in North Reading introduced Al to the many cherished friends he held onto until death. That friend group stayed together in almost every circle of his life.
Becoming a Mason with those same friends found Al as the Secretary where his attention to detail and organizational skills shined. Eventually becoming the Worshipful Master.
Of the many things Al did, “clowning around” with the Aleppo Temple Clown Unit was one of his greatest joys. If he wasn’t super serious organizing…everything…he was clowning around. Becoming a clown was a perfect fit! He embraced clowning around and often spread that joy enlisting his granddaughter, “Apples” to join him.
Goofing around didn’t stop in his professional career, often times presenting his Shriner’s clown badge to the MP at the gates of Natick Labs; just one of many stories he shared and laughed at while eating at the dining room table.
He is predeceased by his parents, Morris and Elizabeth Bennett, his wife and love of his life, Aldeane Reed Bennett and his sister-in-law (Kenneth’s wife) Dorelle Bennett, and his niece, Amy Reed.
He is survived by his four beloved children: his daughter, Lezlie and her husband, Steven Gallagher; his three sons, Bruce and his wife, Vicki; Andrew and his wife, Ester; Matthew and his wife, Meredith; his brothers, Phillip Bennett and his wife Dorothy, Kenneth Bennett; and his brother-in-law, Walter Reed III; his nine grandchildren: Elizabeth, Aaron, Adam, Elias, Kylie, Thora, Tristan, Ethan and Evelyn; and his great grandchildren, Jack and Bennett; and his niece and nephews, Beverly, Patricia, Jennifer, Jeffrey, and Walter IV.
Calling hours will be held at: Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA 01864 on Thursday, October 29 from 4 to 7 PM.
A funeral service will also be held at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA 01864 on Friday, October 30 at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: “Care Dimensions” .
www.croswellfuneralhome.com




