Donald M. Bennert

Don passed away peacefully in his home on November 17, 2023, after complications of AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia).

He was born on September 6, 1947 at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH, the son of Harry W. Bennert, MD and Elizabeth McIntire Bennert. He spent his early school years in the Manchester School System, where he participated in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the Life Award, Pop Warner Football, and learned to ski at McIntyre Ski Area. After spending two years at Central High School, he transferred to Kents Hill School in Maine, where he continued his love for skiing, participating on the ski team as well as the Lacrosse Team, graduating in 1966. He went on to Nichols College in MA, later transferring to the University of New Hampshire, Whittemore School of Business and Economics, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1971.

On June 23, 1969, Don followed in his father’s footsteps and was initiated as a member of Washington Lodge No. 61 F. & A.M. in Manchester NH. He was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on September 8, 1969, and was raised to the degree of Master Mason on October 24, 1969. Shortly thereafter he continued on his masonic journey and became a member of the Manchester York Rite bodies as a member of Mount Horeb Chapter No. 11, Adoniram Council No. 3, and Trinity Commandery No. 1.

Don started his banking career at Littleton National Bank, Littleton, NH, which later became Lafayette National Bank and then Indian Head Bank-North. While in Littleton, Don was very active in the Community. He was President for Dollars for Scholars, President for the Littleton Chapter of the Citizens Scholarship Foundation, on the Board and Treasurer for the White Mountains 93 Association, and the President of the Lions Club, 1977-1978.

Moving to Conway, NH with Indian Head Bank-North, he was the Vice President Senior Loan Officer, continuing to serve his Community in many capacities, and later moved to Concord, NH, with Indian Head Bank, serving as the Vice President in Commercial Loans. Still moving within his bank system, Don moved on to Fleet Bank in Manchester as Vice President of Private Banking and then later went on to the Amoskeag.

In June 1995, Don joined Bow Mills Bank as Senior Vice President and Senior Loan Officer. Once again, serving his Community, Don was a Scout Leader with the Boy Scouts of America and a coach for the Bow Athletic Club, at a local level, and on the Board of Directors for Concord Regional Development Corporation. Bow Mills Bank merged with Merrimack County Savings Bank in 2006 where Don was Senior Vice President Commercial Loans Officer. During these years, Don was a member of Bow Rotary Club, and then later the Concord Rotary Club. While with Concord Rotary, he was a Director on the Board for the Friendly Kitchen, involved with Rotary International Foundation, and Scholarships and Grants. In 2011-2012 he became President of the organization. Don was a recipient of the distinguished Paul Harris Fellow. Don retired from the Merrimack County Savings Bank in June 2014.

Don spent his Summers as a young boy at his parent’s camp on Bear Island on Lake Winnipesaukee, working at Shep Browns Boat Basin and then later at Camp Nokomis, Bear Island, where he met his future wife Sandy, who was the Waterski Director and he drove her ski boats. Later, he joined the NH Marine Patrol as a Summer job, and continued his love for the “big” lake, piloting the Sophie C, Doris E, and the Mount Washington. He went on to earn his Captains License with the United States Coast Guard.

Don loved spending time with his family at Totem Pole Park on Ossipee Lake, camp fires, fly fishing, skiing, golf, Pickle ball, the Patriots, and taking the “Champagne Lady” to Lake Winnipesaukee and Casco Bay, as well as Martha’s Vineyard, where he enjoyed many fishing days, catching many Stripers and Albacore, and enlarging his “fish story” every time he told it.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandy, his daughter Sarah W. Bennert and her wife Jenifer Bennert, Lakeport, NH, and his son Andrew J. Bennert and wife Dr. Elizabeth H. Bennert, Bow, NH. There are two grandchildren, James McIntire Bennert and George West Bennert, both of whom reside with their parents in Bow. His brother Harry W. Bennert, MD, M.Div. predeceased him on July 18, 2023, and his sister Susan LaFrance lives in Portland, Oregon.

The family will receive visitors 4:30-6:00pm Friday, June 7, 2024 at the Cremation Society of NH, 243 Hanover Street in Manchester. Words of remembrance followed by Masonic service will begin at 6:00 in the funeral home chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.