James Bennett: Engaging, Smart, Athletic, and Gone Far Too Soon
Some people can light up a room with a smile. James Bennett’s smile could light up a room, a gym, a school, a restaurant, a community. A beloved son, brother and friend, he was a man of great fortitude in both his physical and social endeavors, and his sudden passing at 24 leaves a chasm in the heart of Sea Isle City.
James Joseph Bennett came from a large family, and during the course of his life, his family extended well beyond bloodlines. Born into the Bennett and Dalrymple families, his roots are deep on Ludlam Island. He lived for his family. He was an extraordinary son to his father, Jimmy, and mother, Jennifer; a protective and dedicated brother to his siblings Anthony, Luke and Barbara; and a trusted, respected friend to all who had the privilege to know him and work with him. He loved spending time on the beach with his many cousins, aunts and uncles, bringing his fishing rod to catch himself a tasty dinner.
He was baptized as a member of St. Joseph’s Parish, where he served as an altar boy and later a Eucharistic minister. Always a man of faith, he attended Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School and
St. Augustine Preparatory High School. St. Augustine’s mascot is the hermit, and the Hermit Brotherhood was particularly important to him. He had made some of his best friends there and was captain of the wrestling team. In fact, wrestling and martial arts were the biggest passions for Bennett in his young life.
“He was an extremely hard worker, tough competitor, and leader for the younger guys on the team,” says Billy Ward, the school’s wrestling coach. “He was the kind of person you always want on your team.”
From the time he was young and studying martial arts, Bennett was known for his physical toughness and competitive nature.
“We nicknamed him ‘The Beast’ because he was such a tenacious and skillful fighter that no one ever wanted to spar with him,” his sensei, John McCray, says with a smile. “But even though he was The Beast, he had an infectious smile and always showed a sense of respect and kindness that never failed.”
Bennett excelled in life and accomplished so much in such a relatively short time.
“James was a leader,” says Nick Saltarelli, his friend since fourth grade, “and was the same hardworking person as a kid when we were running track together in Ocean City, through his days as a manager at the Lobster Loft and La Costa. Not only was he an athlete who was built like a brick house, he was also very intelligent and a thinker who thought about how to do something before doing it. And he was a great friend who was always there when you needed him.”
Bennett had been an honors student-athlete at the Prep, and graduated magna cum laude from Rowan University. During and after college, he brought his work ethic and smarts to the family restaurant and bar businesses, where he assumed responsibility as a manager and played an integral role in the operation. Bennett simultaneously worked as a legislative aide under U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew and was interested in serving his community.
“James always wanted to give back,” says his father, Jimmy. “One thing that really meant a lot to him was cleaning up the beaches. He frequently led eco-tours and beach walks to collect trash. It goes back to his love for the outdoors.”
James J. Bennett’s funeral service was held April 30, three days after his passing. Due to COVID-19 regulations, special arrangements had to be made for the service. What transpired was proof of how much he meant to the community. More than 500 mourners lined the streets from Sea Isle City all the way along Route 9 to the Calvary Baptist Church in Ocean View as the family’s motorcade passed by.
“It was absolutely unbelievable,” his father says.
His obituary conveyed it best: “While James’ tombstone will read 1996-2020, the importance to all of us should be the dash and how James lived those short years between these dates and the positive impact he had on all of us, who had the privilege and pleasure to know him. In honor of James and (the) enormous love he showed the Bennett and Dalrymple families we ask you to open your heart and make a connection. James was a good and decent family man. He was an exceptional student and standout athlete. He always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. But most of all he exuded love, respect, and humility. Every day let’s honor James by living our dash like he would want us to do.”
James Bennett will be missed every day by his father, his mother, Jennifer, brothers and sister, his grandmothers Helen Bennett and Angel Dalrymple, and his many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and great friends. Not only was Bennett loved and respected here on Earth, but he will be lovingly received in Heaven by his granddad, Robert H. Bennett; his cousin, Michael Aaron Bennett; his aunt, Gina Griffin; and nephew, Robert David.
