MP Notable-Robert Bennett and Marion Eileen Bennett

Proud, early ‘settlers’ of the Village of Manor Park. Centurions, lovingly inseparable for 77 years.

Bob and Marion Bennett were a dedicated team, partners in marriage and in their commitment to and involvement in the community of Manor Park. A decision to purchase their first home and settle in the then-Village of Manor Park in 1948 was a pivotal point in their 77-year-long marriage, marking the beginning of their 68-year residency in our community.

Bob was born in Walkerville/Windsor and Marion in Walkerton, Ont. They met as teenagers in cottage country at Bruce Beach, Lake Huron. Their relationship blossomed at the University of Toronto where both lived in the same student co-op residence. Bob was studying electrical engineering; Marion was enrolled in medicine.

By 1944 Bob had graduated as a professional engineer; Marion had completed two years of medical school. They married in 1945 at Emmanuel College (University of Toronto) after Bob’s graduation, just before he left for Kingston, Ont. to join the army as a lieutenant.

First settlers

In January 1948, Bob’s work for The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals at the National Research Council (NRC), brought them to Ottawa. They moved into 2 Braemar St., one of the first houses built in our community.. They were amongst the first 100 families to settle in what was then a newly established, muddy and under-serviced post-war village.

Bob was soon involved as a community volunteer, helping to establish baseball and scouting activities for children. They became inspiring and loving parents to four children: Eleanor, the late Gregory, Douglas and Cameron, and later, grandparents of eight and great-grandparents of five.

Bob had an unquenchable quest to learn. His career was spent in the federal public service in Ottawa, initially in the army and then at the Departments of Transport and Communication. He was involved with early, leading-edge telecom policy representing Canada at many international plenaries and conferences.

Bob’s real career though, was as a family man, always home for dinner at 6 p.m. He enjoyed adventurous Sunday rambles with the family and month-long summer vacations at Marion’s family cottage on Lake Huron. He loved to tinker, always finding ways to fix things.

Dedicated volunteer

Bob preserved the collection of fossils and Indigenous artifacts collected by his grandfather from around Paris, Ont., eventually donating his collection to that city’s museum. As a concerned citizen, Bob loved a good debate and was a prolific writer of letters to the Ottawa Citizen on a plethora of subjects.

An avid birder, Bob authored the Bird Corner column in the Manor Park Chronicle for decades, was a frequent writer and contributor to the paper, and served on the board of the Manor Park Community Association in mid-2000s representing seniors’ interests. Both were active members of the community’s successful Save the Mile Circle campaign in the 1980s.

Marion was a dedicated community volunteer with Meals on Wheels, and Good Companions, and served with Bob as treasurer of St. Paul’s Church while their children were young. She loved her Manor Park home and Christmas dinners with all the family present, as well as hosting occasions with their Manor Park friends and neighbours.

‘Inseperable and loving team’

Bob and Marion shared many varied interests. Both were long-time volunteers at the annual book sale held for the Friends of the Library and Archives Canada. Both were avid and very accomplished square dancers. And they never missed attending the Manor Park dinner dances of the 1990s and 2000s.

Bob and Marion enjoyed collecting Canadian art. They were also world travellers, often venturing on trips twice a year that took them to Europe, Africa, Russia, Greece, South America, Spain and other far and distant places.

Together, they embraced a love of theatre and orchestral music and were great patrons of the NAC and the Great Canadian Theatre Company, as well as committed supporters of many charities dedicated to health, education, social support, and conservation.

In 2016, Marion required a supportive living environment following a massive stroke, leaving Manor Park for the Colonel By Residence. Bob followed shortly afterward just to be by her side.

This inseparable and loving team accomplished many things in their 77-year marriage — leading long and productive lives and contributing immeasurably not only to their immediate family but to the historical fabric of the broader community of Manor Park — a community they genuinely loved.

With kind appreciation to Eleanor, Douglas and Cameron Bennett.

A Manor Park Notable is a snapshot of an individual or individuals (now deceased) who lived in the Manor Park area, and who made a difference either through career or community involvement. Please send your suggestions for candidates or submissions to manorparknotables@gmail.com.