Michael Bennett, passed away peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on Jan. 20, 2025, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Seattle, Washington in 1944 but soon moved to Enumclaw, Washington where he enjoyed the country and his family’s farm, especially the horses. He later moved with his parents to Des Moines, Washington and graduated from Rainier High School where he was the top tennis player and received a college scholarship.

He graduated from the University of Idaho with a B.S. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in Theatre. He became an English and Drama teacher at Hopkins Junior High. He later moved to Aberdeen High School where he taught for most of his career and where he started the first play production class for advanced theater students. Every year he and his students attended the state drama competition where they won many superior and outstanding awards. He was much loved as a teacher and inspired students through his drama classes, who were struggling to stay in school. He was especially good at teaching handicapped students who loved him and his classes.

After retiring from teaching in 2000, he taught computer education to GED students and continued to work as a high school substitute teacher in the Aberdeen School District until his advancing Parkinson’s disease forced him to stop. One of his favorite aspects about theater was teaching mime and directing mime shows. His students loved making up their own mimes and many were hilarious. He also took some of his advanced students to see Marcel Marceau in Seattle.

Michael also had a strong love for Shakespearean plays and loved attending the Ashland, Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He vacationed there almost every year with his wife Anne and their children, camping in their tent trailer.

He was an active member of the Driftwood Players for many years. He performed in many plays and won Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards. He also directed plays. He and his wife received the Driftwood Players annual dedication award for their contributions and service.

Besides theater, Michael had a strong love of the outdoors. He was inspired by forests, lakes, and streams. He especially loved Mt. Rainier where he hiked to mountain lakes to fish and enjoy the scenery. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He also loved food — and was teased by his family with the expression: “Mikey will eat anything …” He particularly loved marionberry pie and ice cream. He would have given his left leg for a ginger ale.

His first love, however, was his family. He married Anne Gavareski in 1975. They had twin daughters and a son. He loved animals and was never without a couple of dogs, usually from PAWS, and at least one always wanted to be his pillow.

Michael was well loved and respected in Grays Harbor during his 50+ years as an Aberdeen resident. He had many friends and enjoyed playing bridge.

He was a kind, patient man and he battled Parkinson’s disease for 20 years, showing great courage and perseverance. Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents “Mom Mom” and “Bop”, his parents Lois Miller Bennett and Ross Bennett and his sister Betsy Bennett.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anne Gavareski Bennett, his twin daughters, Dr. Kati Bennett DVM (Garson Olivieri) and Kristin Bennett, son David Bennett, and grandson Bennett Olivieri.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Aberdeen Driftwood Players or Aberdeen PAWS.

A memorial service will be held at the Aberdeen Driftwood Theatre on March 15 at 1 p.m. A lunch reception will follow at the Aberdeen Polish Club.