It is with heavy hearts that the family of Joe Bennett, Jr., 89, of Middletown, beloved husband of the late Anna Louise (Gomes) Bennett, announced his passing away on Wednesday January 1, 2025 at Middlesex Hospital. He was born in Gatesville, NC as son of the late Joe and Rebecca (Freeman) Bennett, Sr. Prior to his retirement, he was a truck driver for Concorde Steel for over 30 years, then at EIS Brake Parts, and NAPA auto parts.

Joe was a wonderful man; as a child he was very mischievous from taking his father's car out for a joy ride to aggravating his sisters and cousins pulling their pig tails.  Joe loved to cook and share his great cuisine with anyone who was hungry, if you know you know (beware of anything in gravy).  Joe was known as the human GPS, he could guide you home safe from anywhere and stay on the phone talking with you until you got back on track.   Joe loved family; he would have large family gathering for everyone to enjoy.  He will give you advice about any issue whether you wanted it or not.  He enjoyed company and talking on the phone so much that even when you would try to leave or hang up, he'd keep your attention by extending his stories (and err ah, another thing). You can be sure to find him watching a western flick on the tube and him chewing his tobacco or catch him down at the garage with his buddies.

Joe is survived by his children, Ellsworth Charles Morehead and his wife Rose of Middletown, Brenda Carr of Florida, Charlene Simmons and her husband Kevin of Middletown, Joseph Bennett III of Middletown, Lisa Bennett of Cromwell, Saundra Bennett and her fiancé Melvin Hill of Middletown, and sister, Joan Cane of Waterbury. He also leaves 19 grandchildren including James King who had a very special place in his heart, 34 great grandchildren, 30 great-great grandchildren, 1 great-great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Charlie Henry Freeman, Leerma Bennett-Holmes, William G Bennett, James Lee Bennett, and daughter Yolanda Langlois.

On Friday January 10, 2025 visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. following with funeral services at Shiloh Baptist Church at 346 Butternut Street, Middletown. Burial will be in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Rockfall.  Followed by the Repass at the Masonic Temple, 33 Pleasant Street, Middletown. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to Dementia Society of America www.dementiasociety.org . To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.

Joe and his family wish to express thanks and gratitude to the wonderful Doctors of Middlesex Health Dr. Ronald Robbins, and Dr. Jonathan Key, the Nurses at Enhabit Home Health (Vivian and Donna) for many years of service,  and the staff at Middlesex Hospital Hospice Unit and Dietary.