Stuart Bennett

Stuart Jay Bennett, 68, of Columbia, SC passed away on October 13, 2018 in Bradenton, FL after a short illness.

Born in Boston, MA, Stuart moved to Columbia in his youth. He attended Crayton Middle School and graduated from AC Flora High School in 1968. Stuart received his Bachelor's Degree in education from Clemson University in 1972, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

Stuart married Nancy (Laurie) Fowler in 1981. They lived with their children in Columbia before moving to Bradenton in 2014.

Stuart embraced life. With soft spoken words and a generous heart, he was a friend to everyone, and a pillar of strength to his family. Stuart's passions ranged from riding Harleys, to being a pool team captain for decades, to adopting and loving many golden retrievers over the years. But it was undeniable that he was devoted most to his family. He loved his wife deeply, as they shared adventures from the mountains to the ocean. He coached his son's many youth sports teams and attended all of his daughter's theatre performances. He collected his children's art and dreamed of a day he could teach his grandsons Jack and Bennett to ride their bikes the way he taught his own children. There was never a doubt that the time spent with his family was his happiest.

Stuart is survived by his wife Laurie, children Sarah (Ryan) Garrison and Robert Bennett, and his beloved grandchildren who admirably called him 'Papa.'

The family will celebrate Stuart's life in a private beachside memorial.

The Bennett family extends a heartfelt thank you to Tidewell Hospice House of Bradenton for their compassionate care.