Gregory A. “Greg” Bennett

Greg Bennett – brother, brother-in-law, uncle, godfather, and a friend to many – passed away unexpectedly on July 19. He was 62.

Greg lived as he died: on his own terms. Those terms included his insistence that there be no wake, no funeral, and no burial. Instead, he requested his ashes be spread at sea, where he was most at peace in this world.

Greg grew up in Hull and spent the last 11 years of his life here. In between, Greg proudly served his country for over a decade as an Army Green Beret in the 1^st Special Forces, stationed primarily in Europe. Unfortunately, his Army career ended when he blew out both of his knees on a mountainside in Norway during a HALO (High Altitude, Low Open) parachute jump. He would endure multiple, painful knee replacements thereafter.

After the Army, Greg attended and graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology. His Army security clearance made him an attractive candidate for manufacturers and installers of military-related technology, an industry he continued to work in for the remainder of his life.

Greg’s personal interests were varied and, like his military career, took him around the world. He was a certified dive instructor and would frequently host or participate in diving trips to some of the most exotic locations on earth. He was also an avid licensed amateur radio operator and an accomplished photographer/videographer, for which he was featured on the front cover of The Hull Times just two weeks ago.

Greg was a familiar figure to anyone who attended or watched a town government meeting or broadcast during the past decade. Wherever a video camera was needed—from Selectmen and School Committee meetings to countless other events—Greg would be there in his trademark shorts, regardless of the weather.

And, of course, no remembrance of Greg would be complete without mention of his beloved ferrets, which he always referred to as his “kids.” He rescued, cared for, and kept a number of ferrets over the years. They were emblematic of his overall love for wildlife and nature in general.

Despite his Santa-like charm and outwardly cheerful nature, Greg suffered from a lifelong asthma affliction, PTSD from his military service, he had lost a kidney to cancer, and had recently learned his remaining kidney was failing. He did not want to suffer through dialysis and knew he was an unlikely candidate for a transplant given his age and health issues. He always spoke about “quality over quantity” in regards to his time on earth. God rest his soul.

Greg was the son of the late James M. Bennett and the late Carole M. (Leary) Bennett of Hull. He is survived by his brother James B. Bennett of Whitman; his sister Heather B. Falletti and brother-in-law Paul Falletti of Hull; and his brother Matt Bennett and sister-in-law Debbe Bennett of Hull. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews.

Donations in Greg’s memory may be made to Greenpeace at greenpeacefund.org.