LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Lawrence E. Bennett,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Edward Bennett, of Newburgh, New York, died on March
9, 2016, at the age of 92; and
WHEREAS, Born on September 15, 1923, in Roseton, Town of Newburgh, New
York, Lawrence "Larry" E. Bennett was the son of the late James Harold
and Rose Meehan Bennett; and
WHEREAS, On July 22, 1951, he married the late Rosemary (Cipriani)
Bennett in Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh, New York; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence E. Bennett distinguished himself in his profession
and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of his community; he was employed by DuPont, later Stauffer
Chemical Company, Newburgh, from 1946 until 1977; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, Lawrence E. Bennett was elected to the Town of
Newburgh Town Council and served as a Councilman from 1974 until 1978;
he was then elected Supervisor of the Town of Newburgh in 1978 and
served until 1982, when he was elected to the New York State Assembly,
representing the 96th Assembly District; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence E. Bennett was elected to the Assembly, a total of
six terms, serving until 1994; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable public servant was a resident of the Town of
Newburgh his entire life until he relocated to New Jersey in 2012, after
the death of his wife in 2011, in order to be closer to his children and
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence E. Bennett's commitment to excellence, and his spir-
it of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Town of Newburgh
American Legion, Newburgh Veterans of Foreign Wars, Newburgh Catholic
War Veterans, UNICO, and the Irish-American Legislators' Society, and
was for many years active in the veterans' organization of his Army
division; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence E. Bennett served as a Sergeant in the United States
Army, 86th Infantry (Blackhawk) Division, from 1943 until 1946, serving
in both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II; he was
awarded the Bronze Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster for heroic action in
Vohberg, Germany, in April 1945, when he carried a wounded officer to
safety under enemy fire after his company's medic was mortally wounded
while attempting to treat the officer; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Rosemary, Lawrence E. Bennett was
predeceased by his four brothers, James, John, Robert and Vincent, and
his six sisters, Rosemary, Helen, Joan, Kathleen, Molly and Mary; he is
survived by his son, Terrence M. Bennett and his wife, Ellen B. Tabor;
daughter, Patricia Bennett Greer and her husband, W. Bradford Greer;
sister, Alice Bowman; and five grandchildren, Stephen, Robert, Chris-
tian, Katherine, and Charlotte; as well as several nieces and nephews;
and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Lawrence E. Bennett leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Lawrence E. Bennett, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Lawrence E. Bennett.