Hugh Franklin Bennett passed away in Naples, Florida on September 27, 2021 from ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Hugh was born on March 7, 1957 in Washington, DC to parents Jack Franklin Bennett and Shirley Goodwin Bennett. He had an active childhood with eyeopening tours of the world on his parents’ many business trips. He lived in DC, CT, TX, and England and also visited many other countries, including France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Australia, and Singapore. Hugh loved sports, particularly soccer, basketball, tennis, and baseball. He went on to ultimately play collegiate D1 soccer at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and participated in many levels of competitive soccer. He also enjoyed youth and high school soccer coaching and refereeing for many years, particularly in Winchester, MA. Hugh was also lucky to attend a great New Hampshire summer camp (Pemigewassett) for many years. As to schools, he attended the Kinkaid School (Houston), Greenwich Country Day School (Class of 72) and Deerfield Academy
(Class of 75) and UNC (Class of 79).
After college, Hugh had a 25 year career in investment banking and corporate finance with First Boston, Advest, McKinley Allsop, and his own business, Gagan, Bennett & Co. He was active in capital raising, mergers/acquisitions, and served on several corporate boards. Subsequently, he joined MIT in its development and fundraising department, where he worked for 13 years before retiring. Hugh lived in Boston and then Winchester, MA for over 35 years. At the end of 2018, he retired to Naples, FL.
Hugh had many happy experiences and memories with his many friends. He was a class agent for his beloved Deerfield Academy class for many years. He served on soccer club, business association, and school boards. He was also a member of The Winchester Country Club (MA) and the Quail Creek Country Club (FL).
Hugh is survived by two wonderful children, Victoria Bennett Patterson (husband Dustin) and Matt Bennett. Hugh is also survived by his loving wife Michelle Bennett and his three siblings, Jackson G. (Win) Bennett, Philip D. Bennett, and E. Fraser Bennett (Beede). He also leaves his wife’s two children named Kyle Richards and Tyler Richards, as well as their children Sophie and Maddy. He is also survived by his first wife and many Bennett nieces and nephews. Burial in Mystic, CT is private.