Dr. Lawrence (Larry) I. Bennett, of Fayston, VT, passed away on Sunday afternoon, February 9, 2025, at the age of 96. He passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by loved ones, as he wished. Born on June 5, 1928, in Boston, MA, he grew up in Revere Beach with several friends he would maintain throughout his life. After graduating from Revere High School in 1946, he proudly served in the U.S. Army as part of the occupation forces in Korea following World War II. Upon returning from service, he earned his undergraduate degree from Boston College and then his medical degree from Tufts Medical School.
Larry was preceded in death by the love of his life, Barbara (Malins) Bennett, his wife of 67 years. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Judith (Bennett) and Steven Gross of Waitsfield, VT; Barry and Sharon Bennett of Ashland, MA; Andrew and Audrey Bennett of Upton, MA; Dean Bennett of Northbridge, MA; and daughter-in-law Debra Bennett of Whitinsville, MA, as well as his 12 grandchildren and all their spouses and partners, and seven great-grandchildren, with whom he shared equally his legendary love and respect.
Dr. Bennett enjoyed a sterling career in pediatrics, leading his own practice in Framingham, MA, where he raised his family. He was truly beloved by his patients and their families, who never ceased sharing their adoration whenever the opportunity arose. His greatest sense of pride in his career came from never expecting payment from families of patients who were unable to afford care; in his heart, he knew that everyone deserves equal medical care regardless of their financial situation.
Larry and Barbara shared an immensely rich and active social life and loved to ski, golf, swim, play tennis, and, of course, share in all sorts of merriment with friends. They were founding members of the Clearbrook Swim Club in Framingham, MA, where the Bennett family spent countless summer days. Larry played for many years in a slow-pitch softball league in Framingham, holding down the “hot corner” at third base and known always as a dead-pull hitter, just like his hero Ted Williams.
Upon retirement in 1993, Larry and Barbara moved full-time to their ski house in Fayston, VT, where they shared the endless joys of the Mad River Valley with generations of Bennetts to come. Visitors were plenty over the years and Larry always made everyone feel right at home. He ensured that Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches and pickled herring could always be found in the “Frigidaire” and, of course, never, ever neglected to ask whether his guests knew where the thermostats were in the guest rooms.
The Bennetts were long-time Sugarbush skiers and members of Sugarbush Golf Club, where Larry once recorded a “hole-in-one” on then-hole #17 (now hole #8), and where he surely must have been the greatest 95-year-old golfer that the club has ever seen, even if he played two or three balls on every shot. Elsewhere in The Valley, Larry could be seen diving – never just jumping – off the rocks at Lareau’s swim hole and Warren Falls, singing in the Mad River Chorale, and socializing at Sugarbush Racing Club parties. And he could always be found sitting in the sun on his porch without a drop of sunscreen, a rye and ginger in hand (but never with more than just a little “oop” of rye), intoning about how the view was so much better before the damn trees grew so tall, or teaching his grandchildren how to properly sing “Old Man River.”
We will forever carry on Larry’s fundamental values of non-judgment, decency, and the importance of family. His legacy will be based on the strength of his class, grace, and pure goodness, which will forever be a model for us all. He was our father. He was our Papa. He was our teacher and our mentor. He was our friend. He was our inspiration and our motivation. He and his beloved wife were the best of us. His passing leaves a hole that will never truly be filled, but one that has already begun to fill with his enduring love and the memories this great man made with us all. He will be missed forever; he will be loved even longer.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Larry’s honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Mad River Valley Community Fund.
A memorial celebration of the lives of Larry and Barbara will be held in the spring or summer; more details to come.
