1923 – 2014

BUCKFIELD — Roland O. Bennett, 90, of Buckfield, died peacefully at home with his wife, Beverly, at his side, on Sunday, March 2.

Born on Oct. 31, 1923, he was the son of Paul and Blanche Bennett. He lived his entire life in Buckfield. Roland worked on the family dairy farm with his brothers until May 1, 1955.

He liked to tell his children and grandchildren that he milked nine cows every morning before school, which he attributed to his genial good nature. He was class president his freshman and senior years of high school, as well as president of the Future Farmers and student council. He was active in debate and winter sports, and was business manager for the Nezinscot Wave and class historian.

His musical talent from high school lasted his entire life; he played trumpet in the Parisien Orchestra in Western Maine for 50 years, playing Big Band tunes from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, singing these tunes to the end.

After losing his farm in a fire in 1954, Roland, his wife and five children moved to Bumpus Farm. He left the family dairy farm, bought an ax and went to work in the woods to support his family. He worked in this business for the remainder of his life. He loved work and the outdoors, and was an avid reader.

He married Beverly Gammon in 1946, and they were married for 67 years. In 1984, Roland and Beverly toured the U.S.; just under 10,000 miles in a Volkswagen bus — a trip they so enjoyed.

Roland had a great love for horses and harness horse-racing. He and his brothers raised, trained and raced several race-horses. His favorite was a beauty named Baden’s Ray. He had a great love for all his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; and his seven children, Steven and his wife, Judith, Daniel, Susan, Andrew and his wife, Joann, Edwin, Valerie and Seth and his wife, Joni; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, with a great-grandson due in June; as well as great-great-grandchildren; an aunt, Elsie Buck Knightley; four sisters-in law, Gladys Bennett, Barbara Bennett, Ruth Tucker and Virginia Hanson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and M. Blanche Buck Bennett; his brothers, Stanley and his wife, Agnes, Gerald and his wife, Mary, Mason and Paul; sisters, Marjorie Ruegg and her husband, Arnold, and Katherine Lawson; sister-in-law, Eleanor Hanson and her husband, Robert; brothers-in-law, John Tucker and Howard Hanson; and a grandson, Daniel Warren Bennett, who died in 2000.

Condolences may be expressed at FuneralAlternatives.net.

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