Fair Havenite Richard L. “Pop-Pop” Bennett Sr. passed away on Feb. 28 after a brief illness. He was 88.

The following is his obituary, written by loved ones, from Thompson Memorial Home … 

Born at Riverview Hospital, Red Bank, “when it was a house,”   Richard was a lifelong resident of the Two River area and would frequently comment how much he enjoyed growing up there, especially with sailing memories on the Navesink River, as well as lifeguarding at Ship Ahoy and Sandlass Beach Club.

He attended Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School and graduated from Red Bank High School. He attended the Peddie School as well as Bucknell University. He retired as president of the J.C. Williams Outdoor Advertising Company in Asbury Park.

Richard married the love of his life, Gail Williams Bennett, affectionately named “Mouse.”  The couple enjoyed 59 years together, and loved traveling and spending time with friends in St. Croix, Naples, Florida and Maine as well as driving to Colgate University football games.

Richard had a passion for people and loved helping anyone he could, whether it was helping to fix a broken down car or a broken heart. He enjoyed visiting all his friends around town and certainly left many with a good laugh.

Richard was predeceased by: his loving wife, Gail Williams Bennett; his parents, William L. Bennett and Ruth (Compton) Bennett; and his siblings, Gilbert Bennett, Larry Bennett and Carol Bennett Trimmier.

He is survived by: his two sons, Richard L., and wife Lisa, and Peter W., and wife Kristine; and his beloved granddaughter, Caroline Williams Bennett.

Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, with a service at 1, at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank. A burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Middletown.

— Edited obituary from Thompson Memorial Home