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| Phillip Bennett Sr. |
By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Administrators and staff members at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou recently honored Philip Bennett Sr., as resident of the month.
A resident of Aroostook County for most of his life, Mr. Bennett was born on Dec. 29, 1918 in Caribou, where he attended local schools and was a local businessman.
Philip was drafted into the U.S. Army on Oct. 20, 1944, serving during World War II. He was trained as a clerk typist and was discharged on Nov. 26, 1945. As a result of his military service, he received the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Philip and his late wife, Helen, owned the Caribou Nation-Wide Grocery Store that was formerly located on Limestone Street. As Loring Air Force Base grew, the Caribou bypass was constructed, re-routing traffic and business away from the store, forcing the Bennetts to close. Philip then began working in the hardware and appliance business. The Bennetts would go on to live in several other towns in central and southern Maine before moving back to Aroostook County.
The Bennetts were married for 63 years when Helen passed away in 2004. The couple raised three sons, Richard, Philip Jr., and Reginald. Philip Jr., who had represented Caribou in the Maine State Legislature for three terms, passed away in September of last year.
Mr. Bennett came to the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou in June, 2011, after residing in Presque Isle. He enjoys reading the paper and watching the Weather Channel to stay on top of the local and national news and weather. Some of his favorite activities include photography, building model trains and he use to fish whenever he had the opportunity. He was also a member of the local Rotary and Lions clubs.
