Malcolm J. “Mac” Bennett

  Of Malden.  It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad, Malcolm John “Mac” Bennett. Mac was a resident of Malden for 96 years.  He passed surrounded by his family on November 11, at the longtime family home on High Street.

   Mac was the loving husband of Rita E. O’Neil, the love of his life for almost 60 years.

He was the son of Michael and Helen Enwright. Mac was the loving father to Ann Marie and Richard Tilley of Malden, Kathleen and Robert O’Keefe of Oakham, Barbara Bennett and Susan Packard of Arlington, Colleen and Anthony Chiccuarelli of Malden, Kevin and Janine Bennett of North Reading, and Christopher and Erin Bennett of Wakefield. Survived by his brother, Robert White of Waltham. He was a cherished Grampy to Michael Tilley and his wife Colleen, Brian Tilley and his wife Nicole Santangelo, Kristen (Tilley) D’Amico and her husband Michael, Daniel O’Keefe and his wife Jessica, Maura (O’Keefe) Eldridge and her husband Christopher, Patrick O’Keefe and his wife Crystal, Cailyn Chiccuarelli and her fiancé Dave Troiani, David Chiccuarelli, Bailey Chiccuarelli, Caroline Bennett, and John Bennett. Mac was blessed with twelve great grandchildren Madelyn, Brendan, Michael Jr., Julianna, Charlotte ‘Mac’, Evan, Ayla, Killian, Ronan, Reaghan, Finnegan, and Mairead.  His extended family included the White families, the O’Neil families, the LaCourt families, the McGillicuddy families, Marie and Nicky Iacoviello, and sister-in-law Patricia Enwright.

   Mac was predeceased by brothers Michael “Buddy” Enwright, William “Inky” Enwright, Daniel Enwright, sister Claire Jones, sister-in-law Nita Enwright, and members of the White family. Also, brother-in-law John O’Neil and his wife Lillian, and Francis “Buddy” O’Neil and his wife Barbara. Mac was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews and friend of the late Ann Brown.

   Mac enlisted in the Coast Guard during World War II and as a result was unable to finish his education at Malden High School. Later in life he was was given an honorary Malden High School diploma by Mayor Gary Christenson. Mac was employed by the City of Malden for many years. He started at the Cemetery Department, became a Malden Police officer, and then became a proud firefighter of the Malden Fire Department, where he served for over 36 years. Mac was a member of many local organizations. He was involved in the Malden Fire Department Union, serving as both president and vice-president, and served as local Commander to the Malden VFW Post 639 for several terms.

   Relatives and friends were invited to celebrate Mac’s life at his funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, Malden, on Thursday, November 17th with a Funeral and a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, Malden on Friday.

   In lieu of flowers, the family requested honoring Mac with a donation to the Malden Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund, 1 Sprague Street, Malden Ma 02148.