Ross W. Bennett II, age 74, died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2011, at the Hamrick Home Hospice in Okeechobee, Fla. He was born in Euclid, Ohio, to Margaret and Ross Bennett, Sr. on New Years Eve, 1936.
In the summer of 1947, the Bennetts moved to Ft. Lauderdale. They operated a restaurant and started a boat business soon thereafter. He and his brother Fred opened a marina on Old State Road 84 on the southeast corner of the bridge. He and his family pioneered outboard marine shops in Florida. Being very active in powerboat racing, he was involved in driving or building some legendary powerboats.
In 1961, he married Jean Ehrke and they settled into a home in the Riverland Road neighborhood of Lauderdale Isles. They had one son, Trey, in 1965.
After divorcing in 1977, he moved to Lakeport, Fla., where he operated Bennett Marine and Camp. He never turned down the opportunity to help someone and to get them back onto Lake Okeechobee as soon as he could. He loved the lake, its people and culture.
In 2003 he moved to Franklin, N.C. with his life partner, Louise, where he retired. He continued to work on anything he could get his hands on and even built a small cabin by hand in the mountains. He was a graduate of the school of hard knocks and a mechanical wizard.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Fred.
He is survived by his life partner, Louise; son, Trey (Lori) Bennett; grandsons, Taylor and Ethan Bennett, all of Durango, Col.
The family has no services planned.
Friends may express their condolences online at www.buxtonseawinds.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Buxton-Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Okeechobee, FL, 863-357-7283.