Charlie Bennett

Charles Edward Bennett, 72, of Statesville, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Gordon Hospice House. Mr. Bennett was born November 6, 1938 in Niagara Falls, NY and was the son of the late John Preston Bennett and Eva M. Pratz Bennett. He attended LaSalle High School and on October 26, 1968, was married to Lucile Jean Bennett, who preceded him in death on December 8, 2006. Mr. Bennett was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and was retired from Nationwide Trucking. Mr. Bennett enjoyed bowling and his cat "Lisa". He was a friend of Bill W. for over 38 years. He will be missed for his compassion and caring and counseling of others. His reach was far and his capacity for love and forgiveness was endless. In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. Bennett was also preceded in death by two brothers, Leon and Roy Bennett and one sister, Francis Mashew. Mr. Bennett is survived by four children, Beth Bennett Fisher (Arthur) of Tucson, AZ, Kevin Bennett of Statesville, Joanne Russell Thorpe of Statesville, and Veda Russell Orsi (Larry) of Tucson, AZ. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Stephanie Ann Thorpe Sterling (Walter) of Statesville, David Thorpe (Kim) of Lowell, N.C., Susan Orsi Collins (Clint) of Tucson, AZ, Erin Orsi Kiesling (Jeremy) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Jennifer Fisher of Tucson, AZ. He is also survived two brothers, Don Bennett and Dennis Bennett, both of CA along with two sisters, Connie White and Pat McDonald, both of Rochester, NY. He is further survived by 13 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted 7:00 pm Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at Trinity Episcopal Church. Burial will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in honor of Charles "Charlie" Bennett to Lake Norman Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 4708, Mooresville, N.C. 28117, or to Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to Trinity Episcopal Church, 801 Henkel Road Statesville, NC 28677. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Charlie Bennett.