Obituary of Guy Bowles Bennett Jr.

Wayland – Guy Bowles Bennett Jr., 94 years of age, passed away Sunday June 23, 2024 at his home on Granger Rd, Wayland. Guy was born July 20, 1929 in Wayland at his childhood home on Lincoln St. He was the son of Guy B. Sr. and Mildred (Sisson) Bennett. He grew up in Wayland and was a lifetime resident of Wayland, albeit for a few short stints in Cincinnati, Binghamton and Schenectady. He was a graduate of Wayland Central School in 1947 and was a 1951 graduate of the University of Rochester with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Guy and Anita Brooks were married February 3, 1951 in South New Berlin, NY and together celebrated over 71 years of marriage prior to Anita passing away April 14, 2022. Together Guy Jr. and Anita raised three children, Guy Brooks, Joanne and James. Guy worked at General Electric as an engineer for 2 years and then decided to come back to the family business, Bennett Brothers Buick in 1953. In 1964 the dealership name was changed to Guy Bennett’s Buick. Then in 1991 Chevrolet and Oldsmobile were added to the business and the name was changed to Bennett’s Buick Chevrolet Olds Corp. In 2005 Oldsmobile was phased out and the name became Bennett’s Buick Chevrolet Inc. The last day of the dealership was December 31, 2019. His hobbies were many but mostly involved with Buick Cars. He was a member of the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Buick Club of America. He was very proud of their chapter being chosen to host a national meet in 1989. Guy was also a member of the Chemung Valley Car Club, the Genesee Valley Antique Car Club, Antique Automobile Club of America, The Buick Heritage Alliance, National Soaring Museum, and the Wine Country Classic Boats Club. He was instrumental in developing the current national judging format for Buicks – the 400 point judging plan that is still in use today. Guy was a past president of the Wayland Rotary Club, he was active with the Wayland Historical Society and he also enjoyed watching the birds out his back window at home. Guy was an avid collector of pedal cars, Buick cars, model cars, local history, and cameras. He was a long time member of the Wayland Methodist Church and 15 years ago became a member of the Springwater Church of the Nazarene. When he wasn’t collecting or restoring classic cars he was taking pictures and always had his camera in hand or nearby. Guy was the author of a book “I Never Met A Buick I Didn’t Like.” Guy was predeceased by his parents, Guy Sr. and Mildred Bennett; his sister Marion Johnson and his wife, Anita Bennett. He is survived by his children, Guy Brooks (Heidi) Bennett of Wayland, Joanne Bennett of Wayland and James (Barb) Bennett of Wayland; his grandchildren, Kristin (Walter) Conway of CO, Brooke (John) Balbuena of CO, Samantha Bennett of Wayland, Zachary Bennett of Wayland, Ryan Bennett (Katrina Siegfried) of CO and Elyse Bennett of Wayland, ; his step-grandchildren, Cindy (Brian) Sick, Erika (Andrew) Thornton and Samantha (Kyle) Mott; 9 step great-grandchildren; his brother in law Carl Johnson of Carlisle ,PA; his cousin Lyle Sisson Jr. of CA; his sisters-in-law Esther “Kay” Thomsen of South New Berlin, NY, Barbara Brooks of South New Berlin, NY, Lois Brooks Brownell Vagneur of Delta,CO, Sandra Brooks of Unadilla, NY. Along with several other nieces and nephews. Guy’s family and friends may call Friday June 28, 2024 from 4-7pm at St. George-Forsythe Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. Guy’s funeral service will be Saturday June 29, 2024 at 10am at the Springwater Church of the Nazarene. Committal prayers and interment will take place immediately following at Wayland Village Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Guy B. Bennett Jr. may be made to the Guy B. Bennett Memorial Science Award, c/o Wayland-Cohocton Central School, 2350 Rte. 63, Wayland, NY 14572 or to the Wayland Historical Society, P.O. Box 494., Wayland, NY 14572 or to the Springwater Wayland EMS, 7 South Lackawanna St., Wayland, NY 14572.