Ernest Bennett

Ernest E. Bennett, age 94 of Lansing, NY passed away peacefully January 29, 2016. He was born and raised in Palmyra, NY and moved to the Ithaca area in his late 20's. Ernie was a WWII veteran and served in the Army from Jul 1942 to December 1945. He would proudly talk about being stationed overseas in the Philippines, Australia, and New Guinea and had many pictures that provided a good understanding of what it was like oversees during the war.

Ernie was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor V. Bennett in 2011. Ernie worked for New York Telephone Company, now known as Verizon for over 35 years and was fortunate to have enjoyed 30 years of retirement. He loved the Florida Keys so much that they ended up being snow birds and had a home on Little Torch Key and later moved to Matlacha on the gulf coast of Florida. Ernie's passion was fishing the coastal waters in Florida and he went fishing everyday that weather allowed catching some trophy worthy fish. Ernie was a man who had to stay busy, in Florida he would refurbish fishing poles when he wasn't fishing and when in New York he would work in his vegetable garden and what a garden he would have! Erie and Eleanor adopted a number of rescue greyhounds over the years, their last greyhound "Buzzy" was a great comfort to Ernie the last few years and he recently passed away at age 14.


Ernie is survived by his son Joseph (Sue) Bennett of Groton, daughters Kathryn (Don) Taylor of Cortland and Susan Wheeler of North Carolina, and stepdaughter Carole (Ralph) Lobdell of Lansing. Grandchildren are Rob Wheeler, Brandon Wheeler, Janelle Danziger, Brian Taylor, Amy Taylor, Emily Anderson, Sara Michael, James Case, Lori Gavin, Terri Mulks, Kristi Weed, and Kimberly Mulks, along with fourteen great-grandchildren.

There will be a private graveside service for the family in the spring. Bangs Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements. The family asks for those who wish to make a contribution in Ernie's memory to kindly consider the Lansing Fire Department, 80 Ridge Road, Lansing, NY 14882. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.