Richard L. "Pop-Pop" Bennett SR, 88 of Fair Haven, passed away after a brief illness on February 28, 2018 at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank. He was born at Riverview Hospital, Red Bank, "when it was a house". Richard was a lifelong resident of the Two River area and would frequently comment how much he enjoyed growing up there, especially with sailing memories on the Navesink River, as well as lifeguarding at Ship Ahoy and Sandlass Beach Club. He attended Rumson Fair Haven High School, and graduated Red Bank Regional High School. He attended the Peddie School as well as Bucknell University. He retired as president of the J.C. Williams Outdoor Advertising Company in Asbury Park.
Richard married the love of his life, Gail Williams Bennett, affectionately named "Mouse". They enjoyed 59 years together, and loved traveling and spending time with friends in St. Croix, Naples, Fla, and Maine as well as driving to Colgate University football games.
Richard had a passion for people and loved helping anyone he could, whether it was helping to fix a broken down car or a broken heart. He enjoyed visiting all his friends around town and certainly left many with a good laugh.
Richard was predeceased by his loving wife; Gail Williams Bennett; his parents, William L. Bennett and Ruth (Compton) Bennett; and his siblings, Gilbert Bennett, Larry Bennett and Carol Bennett Trimmier. He is survived by his two sons; Richard L. and his wife Lisa, and Peter W., and his wife Kristine. He is also survived by his beloved granddaughter, Caroline Williams Bennett.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 from 12 to 1 p.m., with a service at 1, at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank, N.J. 07701. A burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Middletown.