Rev. Thomas Bennett
Deceased: 2010-11-06
Diocese: HARTFORD
ICTE Fall: 1992
Reverend Thomas F. Bennett, a native of Waterbury, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 6, 2010, at his family home in Amherst, MA. Father Bennett was born February 8, 1942 in Waterbury, the son of the late Thomas F. and Gertrude Ann (Powell) Bennett. He graduated from St. Margaret School, and Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury, Class of 1959. Father Bennett began his studies for the priesthood, attending Saint Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and Saint Bernard Seminary in Rochester, NY. He was ordained May 23, 1968, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, by the Most Reverend Joseph F. Donnelly, Auxiliary Bishop of Hartford.
Father Bennett served many parishes within the Archdiocese of Hartford, beginning as an Assistant at Saint John Church, Watertown in1968, Saint Mary Church, Branford from 1968-1972, and at Saint Joseph Church, Meriden from 1972-1976. He began in the Family Life Office for the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1976 and was promoted a year later to Director, serving until 1984. Father Bennett was Temporary Administrator at Saint John Fisher Church in Marlborough, until being appointed to his first pastorate at Saint Thomas Church in Southington. In 1992 he transferred to Saint Gabriel Church, Milford as Pastor, and began his final pastorate in 1995 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Washington Depot and Saint Patrick Mission Church, Roxbury, until he began a medical leave in 2008.
Despite challenging health issues, he contributed greatly to the formation of future priests, assisting in the Vocation Office until his unexpected passing. Father Bennett is survived by many cousins. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his only sister, Dr. Mary Katherine Bennett.
Family and friends may call Friday (November 12, 2010) at St. Thomas Seminary, 467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield from 9 – 10:30 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Thomas Seminary, by the Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford. Burial will be in the Priest’s Plot at St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vocation Office of the Archdiocese of Hartford, 467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, CT 06002. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.
