Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather

Thomas K. Bennett, 80, of Medford, died August 21, 2023, from delayed effects of throat cancer treatment 12 years ago. He was the youngest of nine children, all raised in Medford. He was predeceased by his parents; and siblings, Alexander, John, Daniel and Janet Bennett, and Jessie Barney. He will be missed by remaining siblings, Bob and Caryl Bennett of Whitefish, MT, Margaret Grow of Wheaton, IL, and Donaldson Bennett of Delaware, OH; and his many nieces and nephews.

He leaves his wife, Stephanie (Leonard) of Medford; and son Scott (and wife Kristen) of Chantilly, VA. He loved getting text updates from his three amazing grandchildren, James, an aeronautical engineer in Palm Bay, FL, Gretchen, just graduated B.U. soccer goalie, and Teresa, studying to be a veterinarian at Colorado State.

Mr. Bennett worked first for John Hancock Insurance Co., where he was trained in computer operations and programming. He next worked for B. F. Goodrich, where he set up computer operations departments in Chicago,

IL, and Lawrence, KS. In 1971, he was hired by the recently-established Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare (now Transitional Assistance) to create the state’s first Food Stamp Program (now SNAP). He maintained the food stamp system, making all federally-mandated changes, until he retired in 2002.

He was an avid golfer. He played with his brothers whenever they were together – at St. Andrews and other notable courses on a 1997 trip to Scotland. When he retired, he joined the Irish American Club in Malden to play in their afternoon golf league. A March golf trip to Myrtle Beach was a longtime tradition for a group of golf buddies. Another annual tradition was a trip to Saratoga Springs, where a large group of friends spent a few days at the track. Besides horse racing, his other favorite spectator sport was football. He had season tickets to Patriots’ games for more than 25 years. This will be the first season in 49 years he won’t participate in the football pool started by a small group of friends in the Welfare Department. Tom will be sorely missed by his many friends.

At his request, there will be No Calling Hours or Funeral.

Arrangements are by BealsGeake-Magliozzi Funeral Home in MEDFORD.

Donations in his memory may be made to Beacon Hospice, 529 Main Street, Suite 126, Charlestown, MA 02129.