Marlborough – Stephen Lawrence Bennett, 69, retired Lieutenant of the Massachusetts State Police, died at home in Marlborough on March 14, 2020. Stephen was born in Boston on May 22, 1950 to James and Nathalie (Thayer) Bennett of Dorchester.
He is a proud graduate of Cathedral High School, the former Boston State College, and received a Master’s degree from Anna Maria College. At Boston State, he met his wife, Mary (Sheehan) Bennett. He was a football player, she was a cheerleader, and they had been married for nearly 45 years. Mary was the love of Steve’s life and his rock. Steve leaves behind two daughters, his “angels,” Jamie Bennett Jones (Paul), of Ashland, MA and Megan Bennett, of Arlington, VA. Perhaps his favorite moniker, “Pop,” was reserved for his beloved grandson, Shane Jones, who spent many “Pop Days” being silly together.
Steve leaves behind nine incredible siblings, Nathalie Sisson (Paul) of Weymouth, MA, Dan Bennett (Margie, predeceased) of Cape Coral, FL, Jim Bennett (Dottie) of Canton, GA, Bob Bennett (Teresa) of Dorchester, MA, Irene Schramm (George) of Attleboro, MA, Rita Bennett of Dorchester, MA, Phyllis Bennett of South Boston, MA, Margie Henderson (Mark) Braintree, MA, and Kevin Bennett (Mishelle) of Lynnwood, WA. Steve also leaves behind wonderful in-laws, including James Sheehan (Marilyn, predeceased) of Marlborough, MA, Eileen Costa (Tony) of Somerville, MA, Nancy Marche (Ralph) of Tewksbury, MA, John Sheehan of Billerica, MA, and Anne Sears (Michael) of Wilmington, MA. Steve also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews and great- “bitsahs.” He would go to great lengths to make them laugh.
Speaking of laughter, Steve was King with his quick wit. With a glitter in his eye and a smirk on his face, he was the master of the pun and Dad joke. Anyone you meet has to tell you of his mischief (like when a woman called the State Police Barracks to ask if a recent snowfall was, “sticking,” and he replied that he, “just saw the Elmer’s glue trucks out”). His cheerfulness extended to nicknames for those he loved, including, “Bulah” (Mary), “Duzaboo” (Jamie), and “Sparkie” (Megan).
Although he didn’t want his medical ailments to define him, he was quite the medical miracle. With a “Just Do It,” and “Dorchester” attitude, Steve survived: a kidney transplant (donor, Kevin Bennett), open heart surgery, thyroid cancer, gallbladder removal surgery, numerous coronary angioplasties and stent insertions, a pacemaker, hernia surgery, dialysis and had been a candidate for both heart and kidney transplants. Despite this, Steve lived a full life and was blessed with so many years.
In his glory days, Steve played semi-professional football for the Middleboro Cobras and boxed for the Mass State Police. Steve was a devout Catholic and spent many weekends cooking at church and was an active participant in LifeTeen.
While Jamie and Megan were playing sports, he was always on the sidelines (yelling, “feet feet feet” and “anticipate!”). He would drive to meet Jamie’s college basketball bus and “wave the Bowdoin flag.” Together with Mary, they hosted countless spaghetti suppers for the girls’ teams. Recently, Steve could be found on the sidelines at Shane’s soccer, t-ball and swimming lessons.
Steve and Mary’s house has been the epicenter of family gatherings, from Bennett apple-picking, Thanksgiving, St. Patty’s parties, and Easter. A dynamic cooking duo, Steve and Mary would produce delicious meals in a practiced kitchen rhythm. Steve took pride in creating desserts that he didn’t indulge in, but made others rave, like bread pudding and chocolate Guinness cake.
Steve’s loss is heartbreaking for us, but he was a man who lived life well. You wanted to make him proud. He was a hero, who, upon his passing was described by family as special and someone you would want to model your life after. Maybe with the COVID-19 pandemic, God needed someone to bring levity. We can imagine him in heaven giving the punchline from his favorite Mrs. McGillicuddy joke; “so I tucked it back in.”
A private burial will be held at Edgell Grove Cemetery in Framingham.
Due to the current Massachusetts state of emergency with COVID-19, we will have a funeral Mass and celebration of life at a later time. Information about this memorial will be shared via www.slatteryfuneralhome.com and social media when it becomes available. This will provide a more personal opportunity to share stories and memories of Steve.
In lieu of flowers or traditional remembrances, memorial contributions may be made to the SPAM Benevolent Fund http://www.spambenevolentfund.org/support/.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centers and their staff for his exceptional care and their commitment to Steve’s health.
