Obituary for Alan Bennett
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Three days after the 50th anniversary of his ordination, Saturday, May 30th, 2020, Rev. Dr. Alan Bennett passed away peacefully in Kingston, Ontario with his family by his side.
Al cherished his family most dearly and leaves behind: his wife Wendy, son Mark (Kryse) Kimberly, (Alex) and Joshua, (Ellie), and grandchildren Anna, Stanley, Petra, Hanah, and Maisie. He will be sadly missed by brothers Don, Bruce, Wayne and their families and by his brother-in-law Peter Matthews. Predeceased by his sister Marjorie.
Al loved Wall Street United Church of Brockville where he had served as Minister from 1988 to 2006, and then as Minister Emeritus from 2007 to the present. Before Wall Street, Al served at First United Church of St. Catharines, Ontario; Scotland Pastoral Charge of Brant County, Ontario; and as a teacher-missionary at the Kafue Boys Secondary School of the United Church of Zambia in south-central Africa. It was in Zambia, a land rich in the Spirit, where God began to forge Al's ordained ministry. God used Al to change the hearts and minds of some, and to bring others closer into relationship with a loving Jesus. He was a humble man, and he allowed others to change his own heart and mind. He worked tirelessly to remove mental, physical and cultural impediments to a Christian life: counselling many suffering through intense grief or crises of faith, rallying Wall Street Church to improve physical access with the installation of an elevator, helping to cast a vision and leading the development of Wall Street Village, sharing his own deeply-personal challenges with fellow worshipers at Celebrate Life, presiding as President of Bay of Quinte Conference and marching in Brockville's Pride Parade.
Alan was dedicated to his community. He was an active Rotarian, serving as President and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Every year he spent hours volunteering by collecting for the food bank, participating in community cleanups and building BBQs to raise funds in charity auctions so that this would be a better community for everyone.
Al was not only a minister but a father, grandpa and husband who loved his family and his bike. Al’s favourite place to be was on his bike riding the trails in Hilton Head Island or the back roads of Augusta Township. His second favourite place was any LazyBoy chair with his iPad in hand. He loved new gadgets and technology and was the proud owner of the first Macintosh computer sold in St. Catherines, and recently the latest ipad and a kettle with 5 different boil settings. He could talk endlessly about his favourite war documentaries (especially World War II in Colour) and thus he would appreciate that his tribute will take place on D-Day. He was also the one you called if you ever needed a pick-up though he would always take the scenic route.
Ever joyful, ever loving, ever hopeful, a man of deep faith, he dedicated himself to his church, his community, and his family.
A drive by tribute in honour of Rev. Dr. Bennett will take place Saturday, June 6th at 11:30 am passing by the main entrance of Wall Street United Church.
Mourners who wish to participate are requested to rendezvous at the Brockville Shopping Centre (old Zeller’s Mall) parking lot at 11:15 am. The procession will be led by Irvine Funeral Home and will disperse once we have passed by the church. Those who wish to walk by the church are most welcome. Please note there will be a designated area for pedestrians and physical distancing must be maintained.
A YouTube celebration of his life will also be shared.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Wall Street United Church will be gratefully acknowledged.
Please take a moment to send the family a prayer, a message of condolence or a share a special thought of Alan on the Memory Wall above. Thank you.
Three days after the 50th anniversary of his ordination, Saturday, May 30th, 2020, Rev. Dr. Alan Bennett passed away peacefully in Kingston, Ontario with his family by his side.
Al cherished his family most dearly and leaves behind: his wife Wendy, son Mark (Kryse) Kimberly, (Alex) and Joshua, (Ellie), and grandchildren Anna, Stanley, Petra, Hanah, and Maisie. He will be sadly missed by brothers Don, Bruce, Wayne and their families and by his brother-in-law Peter Matthews. Predeceased by his sister Marjorie.
Al loved Wall Street United Church of Brockville where he had served as Minister from 1988 to 2006, and then as Minister Emeritus from 2007 to the present. Before Wall Street, Al served at First United Church of St. Catharines, Ontario; Scotland Pastoral Charge of Brant County, Ontario; and as a teacher-missionary at the Kafue Boys Secondary School of the United Church of Zambia in south-central Africa. It was in Zambia, a land rich in the Spirit, where God began to forge Al's ordained ministry. God used Al to change the hearts and minds of some, and to bring others closer into relationship with a loving Jesus. He was a humble man, and he allowed others to change his own heart and mind. He worked tirelessly to remove mental, physical and cultural impediments to a Christian life: counselling many suffering through intense grief or crises of faith, rallying Wall Street Church to improve physical access with the installation of an elevator, helping to cast a vision and leading the development of Wall Street Village, sharing his own deeply-personal challenges with fellow worshipers at Celebrate Life, presiding as President of Bay of Quinte Conference and marching in Brockville's Pride Parade.
Alan was dedicated to his community. He was an active Rotarian, serving as President and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Every year he spent hours volunteering by collecting for the food bank, participating in community cleanups and building BBQs to raise funds in charity auctions so that this would be a better community for everyone.
Al was not only a minister but a father, grandpa and husband who loved his family and his bike. Al’s favourite place to be was on his bike riding the trails in Hilton Head Island or the back roads of Augusta Township. His second favourite place was any LazyBoy chair with his iPad in hand. He loved new gadgets and technology and was the proud owner of the first Macintosh computer sold in St. Catherines, and recently the latest ipad and a kettle with 5 different boil settings. He could talk endlessly about his favourite war documentaries (especially World War II in Colour) and thus he would appreciate that his tribute will take place on D-Day. He was also the one you called if you ever needed a pick-up though he would always take the scenic route.
Ever joyful, ever loving, ever hopeful, a man of deep faith, he dedicated himself to his church, his community, and his family.
A drive by tribute in honour of Rev. Dr. Bennett will take place Saturday, June 6th at 11:30 am passing by the main entrance of Wall Street United Church.
Mourners who wish to participate are requested to rendezvous at the Brockville Shopping Centre (old Zeller’s Mall) parking lot at 11:15 am. The procession will be led by Irvine Funeral Home and will disperse once we have passed by the church. Those who wish to walk by the church are most welcome. Please note there will be a designated area for pedestrians and physical distancing must be maintained.
A YouTube celebration of his life will also be shared.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Wall Street United Church will be gratefully acknowledged.
Please take a moment to send the family a prayer, a message of condolence or a share a special thought of Alan on the Memory Wall above. Thank you.