CAMDEN — Wayne Donald Bennett, 84, of Camden, passed away after a brief illness, on Saturday, September 23, 2023 in Portland, surrounded by his family. Born in Bangor on August 24, 1939, he was the son of John D. and Pauline (Smith) Bennett and grew up in Orrington.

Wayne was the Salutatorian of the Class of 1957 at Brewer High School. He then attended the University of Maine where he received a civil engineering degree. He met a waitress, Sharon Burgess, over a spilled cup of coffee. On May 5, 1963, they were married at the First United Methodist Church in Orrington.

Wayne served in the Maine National Guard in Brewer for 12 years. A civil engineer for over 37 years with the Maine State Department of Transportation, Wayne retired as a State Engineer in June of 1998. He also worked several years after retirement for Kleinfelder in Augusta doing engineering consulting work.

Wayne and Sharon built a beautiful camp at Schoodic Lake and enjoyed many summers there with family gatherings. In their younger years, they hiked many miles into Baxter State Park fishing and camping at South Branch Pond and Russell Pond. Several winters were spent traveling to Florida.

In addition to bowling at the Lucky Strike Lanes in Camden, Wayne had been an active Boy Scout leader, having received his Life Scout award as a young man.

Wayne will be remembered for his generous ways, his kindness, and his sense of humor. Family members of all ages enjoyed his homemade hand-cranked ice cream at traditional Thanksgiving gatherings.

The family gratefully thanks the staff at Maine Medical Center in Portland for the excellent care, compassion, and kindness he received while in their care.

Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Sharon Bennett; son, John C. Bennett; sisters, Donna Golding, Sharon Caron; brother, John Bennett and his wife, Betty; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Allen Caron, and sisters-in-law, Laurie Bennett and Cheryl Murray.

Memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to Shriner’s Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114.

A Memorial Celebration will be held Sunday, October 22, 2023, from 1 - 3 p.m., at the Belfast Shrine Club, 20 Northport Avenue, Belfast.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.