(Editor's note: The day after Chuck Bennett died, several civic leaders about his passing with Novato Patch. The following is a family-approved obituary).
Charles (Chuck) W. Bennett passed away on Monday March 19, from complications with cancer.
The son of Charles and Anne Bennett, Chuck was born on July 12, 1942 in Holyoke, Mass. Chuck’s early years were spent at Hamilton Air Force Base, where his father was Provost Marshall. He was in the second graduating class of and attended the University of San Francisco before beginning his career in escrow and title insurance.
After a 45-plus year career in the industry, including time as CEO of California Land Title of Marin, Chuck retired in 2007.
Chuck was devoted to his loving wife Patty and daughter Cathryn, sister, Pat Delong, niece, Alina (Kevin) Bemis, nephews, Matt Delong, Chris and Cody Wright, and great nephews, Dante, Riley, Casey, and Jaden Bemis.
Chuck’s passion was being involved in his community and working to make things better. He devoted a great deal of time serving on numerous State and local boards, charitable and civic organizations. He was especially dedicated to supporting activities involving youth.
Chuck was a past President of the and California Land Title Association Board of Directors. Chuck was honored as Novato’s 2001 Citizen of the Year and in 2006, Construction Industry Person of the Year by the Marin Builders Association.
Chuck was a force for “getting it done” and always the first to step up to make it happen. He will be sorely missed at the many community fund raising events where he was a frequent and generous contributor.
Chuck had a love of the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. Many of his fondest memories were the trips with friends and stories that accompanied those activities. Most recently, his favorite time was spent with family and friends enjoying themselves at their home in Lakeport, especially with many of Cathryn’s friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 1 p.m. at the .
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the , , Novato School Fuel or your favorite children’s charity.
