Bennett, Lawrence “Laurie” Emerson - Age 80, formerly of MacPhees Corner, passed away on January 6, 2025, in Colchester East Hants Hospital after a short illness. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, to the late Jean Isabelle (Garnet) Bennett and Lloyd Emerson Bennett. Laurie was a kind, generous and loving soul, who always put the needs of others ahead of his own. He spent better than 20 years working, as he called it, pencil pushing, for CP Express and Transportation in Dartmouth, NS. Having been forced to retire at a young age, he took up the task of working for the Shumilacke Food Bank, transforming it from a small stock room in the old Shubenacadie Catholic Church, to taking over the entire basement of the Shubenacadie Community Hall. He secured suppliers, enlisted help, arranged fundraising events and spent a lot of time outside of his copious hours working there, delivering food to those in need. He was a social butterfly, and was liked by most that he encountered. He could have a conversation with anyone. After he and his wife sold their Nursing Home, Bennett’s Rest Home, in Shubenacadie, they moved a bit further out in the country, to MacPhees Corner. There, they transformed their barren property into a vast expanse of gardens. It was normal conversation for him to mention the new garden he was either putting in, or had just completed for mom. He just liked to play outside with his tractor and his toys.
He was an avid card player. He loved going to play cards in Gore, and, begrudgingly, hosting bridge, every Saturday morning for the last several years. His other passion, was jokes. He loved a good joke, and was often trying to tell them. As he had cataplexy, sometimes it took a hot minute for the punchline to emerge, as he would crack himself up to the point of having a cataplexy attack whilst telling said joke. He always brought levity, and calmness to any situation he was in, he thrived on peace and harmony.
Laurie is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Claire (Snow); his daughters and apples of his eye, Laura (Daniel) and Bobbi (Michael); as well as his one and only granddaughter, Jaylyn “Jay”. He also leaves behind brothers, Eric “Benny” (Wende), Richard “Rick” (Bonnie) and Raymond (Colleen “Connie”); and his friend, Al Sieniewicz; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. I really think that if it was up to him, he would still be here, to spend one more Sunday Dinner, one more game of Canasta, one more holiday, with his family.
He was predeceased by many close family members over the years, his baby brother, Daniel “Danny” Bennett; sisters, Wanda (Charles) Moyer, Ruth (Paul) O’Donnell; great nephew, Paul O’Donnell; and sister-in-law, Judy Zwicker. The one that hurt the most, was his son, Julien Joseph “Jay” Bennett in 2012. Laurie was never the same after his passing. He spoke of Jay often, and held firmly onto many of his personal items until his own passing.
Laurie’s death has left many with a gaping hole in their hearts. He was the glue that held many together, the life of the party, the warmth, heart, and soul of his family. No one will ever be able to fill the void that now exists.
We would like to extend special thanks to the nurses and care staff of the Colchester East Hants Health Authority, especially Janet and Kayla in palliative care, and Jovi in the D3 Medical Wing. They treated him with love and respect, and took extra care to make sure that he was comfortable.
As per his request that he not have a service, he will be cremated, with his ashes scattered with his son, Jay.
Donations may be made, in his honor, at the charity of your choosing.
I will close with the very last joke that he told to the phlebotomist, taking his blood, which was the very last lucid thing he spoke.
A state trooper pulls over a blonde on a lonely back road and says, "Ma'am, is there a reason why you're weaving all over the road?"
The woman replied, "Oh officer, thank goodness you're here! I almost had an accident! I looked up and there was a tree right in front of me. So, I swerved to the left and there was another tree in front of me. Then, I swerved to the right and there was another tree in front of me!"
The officer reached through the side window to the rearview mirror, and explained, "Ma'am... that's your air freshener."
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