Bathurst - Leonard W. Bennett, 83, of Miramichi Ave., Bathurst, passed away on Monday (December 26, 2011) at his residence after a lengthy illness.

Born in Bathurst, he was the son of the late Leonard Sr. and Laura (Ward) Bennett.

He was a former employee of the City of Bathurst.

Besides his wife, Regina (Lavigne) Bennett, he is survived by four sons:  Ralph and Reginald (Joan) both of Bathurst, Gary (Lynn) of Beresford and Ronald (Donna) of Lancaster Park, Alta., five daughters:  Jeannette Doucet (Jean-Guy) and Rose-Marie Smith both of Bathurst, Pauline Bennett-Préfontaine (Pierre) of Quebec, Que., Carol Graham (James of Woodville, Ont., and Diane Haché of Campbellton; two brothers:  Alfred of Robertville and Clifford of Bathurst; four sisters:  Marcella Roy, Margaret Savoie (Lucien) and Blanch Young (Gordon), all of Bathurst, Annie Carmel (Gilles) of Dorion, Que.

19 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by a son, Gerald, 3 great-grandchildren, several brothers and sisters.

The body will rest after 7 p.m. Tuesday at Elhatton's Funeral Home, Bathurst.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday afternoon (December 29, 2011) at 2 p.m. from the Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Andrew St., Bathurst.  Visiting hours are Tuesday from 7 to 9 and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 and Thursday from noon until time of Funeral.