Laconia, NH----Gordon H. Bennett, 65, of 16 Morningside Drive,  beloved and devoted husband of Donna L.(Field) Bennett, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2007 at his home.

Gordon was born in Norwood, MA, son of the late Douglas and Eva Mae (Harris) Bennett, and had been a resident of Laconia for the past 41 years. He attended school in Foxboro, MA and New York University. Gordon served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961-1965. Throughout the 1970s he was well known for building many custom homes in the Laconia area, including the Gilford Forest development. In 1974 he became the first real estate sales associate to be appointed to the NH Board of Real Estate Brokers. He also had a 41 year career as a machinist, including being the owner and president of Bennett Machine Company from 1979-1988.

Gordon loved spending time on the water. He was an avid sailor and had been a member of the Winnipesaukee Yacht Club. He spent many days walking the beaches of the NH Seacoast and Cape Cod, enjoying a good bowl of seafood chowder and a chocolate frappe. He also at one time played the drums in the Boarding House jazz trio, which could often be found playing at B. Mae Denny’s on weekend evenings. He was an accomplished cyclist, once covering the entire distance from Laconia to Cape Cod on his bike. He also enjoyed building and showing Pontiac Fieros, having won several trophies and even built and patented a Fiero water pump under the name of Benedini Motor Works. However his greatest joy came from spending time with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife of 43 years, he leaves behind three daughters, Holly Bennett of Meredith, Kimberly and her husband, Dean Hancock. of Gilmanton, and Lori and her husband, Scott Dennehy, of Hampton; a son, Michael Bennett of Aptos, CA; a sister, Barbara Galvin of Plymouth MA; five grandchildren, Brittni Dinan, Alli Oster, Zachary Hancock, Jennifer Hancock, and Ryan Dennehy; a nephew; a niece and a lifetime of great friends and business associates who he was greatly respected by in the community.

Memorial Services will be held Monday, March 12, 2007 at 11:00 AM at St. James Episcopal Church, 876 North Main Street, Laconia, N. H.  Rev. Hank Junkin, Priest-in- charge of the Church, will officiate.

Spring burial will be in the family lot in Bayside Cemetery, Laconia, N. H.

In lieu of flowers, please make all memorial contributions to Community Health and Hospice, Inc. 780 North Main St., Laconia, NH 03246 or to the New Hampshire Humane Society, PO Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247.

Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.