Obituary of John Terrell Bennett, Jr.

John Terrell Bennett, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on Hilton Head Island, SC on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.  The son of John T. Bennett and Edna Mae Chennells Bennett, he was born on January 26, 1929, and attended the Punahou School in Hawaii, Phillips Exeter Academy, Harvard University, and Harvard Business School. He served in the US Navy in the Atlantic fleet during the period between undergraduate and graduate school, attaining the rank of Lieutenant JG.

A longtime resident of Weston, Massachusetts, before retiring to NH and SC, John was a well-respected member of the Boston investment community where he held several senior executive positions, including at Putnam Investments, Batterymarch Investments, and Essex Financial. At his retirement he created an independent investment management company. Throughout his life he was an avid sailor, power boater, fisherman, golfer, tennis player, and an enthusiastic traveler. He also gave his time generously to many organizations including serving as Treasurer for the Boston Center for Blind Children, the Squam Lakes Association, and the Science Center of New Hampshire.

A deeply devout man, he was active in numerous congregations, including Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church in Weston, MA, the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Wayland, MA, the Anglican Church in Holderness, NH, and Saint Luke’s Church on Pope Avenue in Hilton Head, SC.  He was also a longtime member of the Chocorua Island Chapel Association on Squam Lake in NH. 

A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife Sue Wright Bennett of Hilton Head, SC; his children John Terrell Bennett, III (Katherine) of Colrain, MA; Caroline Bennett Grady (Todd) of Andover, MA; and George Mifflin Bennett (George Patsouris) of Wayland, MA, as well as seven grandchildren, Langdon, John, and Lincoln Grady, Alison O’Neill (Mike) and Robert Bennett, and Samuel (Hannah) and Margaret Bennett, and a great granddaughter Eleanor Bennett.  He was predeceased by his first wife Ellen F. D. Bennett and his son David Chennells Bennett. Services will be held at The Cypress Clubhouse 20 Ladyslipper Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 Saturday, October 28^th at 1 PM.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, 7 Plantation Park Drive, Bluffton, SC 29910.