Clay Samuel Bennett, Jr. of Worcester and formerly of Chester, Mendham and Bridgewater, New Jersey died peacefully on Friday, December 8, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospital, following a period of declining health. He was 78. Clay was born in Moscow, Pennsylvania, son of the late Clay S. and Mary (Mott) Bennett. He was raised in Bernardsville, New Jersey and attended the Citadel in South Carolina and Rutgers University. Later, he and his wife settled first in Morris County and then in Somerset County, New Jersey. Clay was a consummate storyteller, whose characteristic wit, dry humor, and charisma enlivened the lives of all he knew. His integrity and principled nature led to a successful and varied professional life. Early in his career, Clay sold for Addressograph and Olivetti typewriters. He left sales to become a classical music DJ for radio station WDHA, and then became one of the youngest over the counter traders on Wall Street. Following his entrepreneurial spirit and love of nature, Clay established Bennett Landscaping in 1970. He enjoyed providing his customers with creative outdoor designs, and his work was featured in numerous gardening and lifestyle magazines. As the years progressed, Clay returned to his early love of sales. He became a lead salesperson with John Hancock Insurance, the Product Club, and Ferma Wood Products. A lover of history, Clay possessed a wealth of knowledge on World War II, the American Revolution, and the Civil War. He was an avid reader of history, philosophy, and fiction, enjoyed bird watching, as well as classical music, with a keen interest in late Romanticism and 20th Century American composers. In his later years, Clay drew upon his many adventures to share stories and life lessons with his two granddaughters, with whom he shared a special bond. Clay will be lovingly missed by his wife of 42 years, Mary K. (Dougherty) Bennett; his two sons, Clay S. Bennett, III and his wife Elise A. Carpenter of Somerville and Joshua O. Bennett and his partner Chelsea Adewunmi of New York City; his two granddaughters; Helen Lily and Melinda Rose Bennett; his four sisters, Maidie Ward, Nancy Fullager, Jeanette Welsh and Florence Adams; as well as his two brothers, Wesley and David Bennett. He also leaves 16 nieces and nephews. Clay’s family will gather to remember, honor and celebrate his life with a private gathering in Worcester at Rural Cemetery and Chapel at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 15th. A public memorial service in New Jersey will be held in February 2018.
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