Clifton Northridge Bennett

Condolences to Eric, Lora and family. Cliff had a long and full life, moved on but always remembered. We were fortunate to know him for 13 years, a good man for sure.
RIP Cliff. Anna and Matt and Family.

The prefect picture of Clif…

Upon seeing his smiling face and the twinkle in those eyes, my face was overcome with a big smile… and in an instant, I was back in the house on the hill, listening to one of Clif’s stories.

I am thankful for your friendship and will treasure the memories.

My deepest sympathies and condolences goes out to the entire family…

He will not be forgotten.

Sending endless prayers, blessing, positivity and love to the Bennett family.

I can speak for everyone when I say Clif was an amazing man, father and friend. He saw life in such a natural positive light. He would put the biggest smiles on faces, have the greatest conversations and most times up for an adventure. If it was a simple walk in the neighbourhood, going out for a meal, enjoying a glass of dark ale or green tea, visiting with friends and family all over the world(he loved going to Sweden to visit Lora and the beaches in Florida) and enjoying a boat ride with Eric; he would always brighten up ones day.

My papa Clif lived a beautiful life and although he is not with us physically, his spirit will always be with us. I ask that we remember the cherished memories spent with my papa and have a glass of dark ale or green tea with loved ones over a beautiful conversation. He would absolutely love that

We love and miss you so much papa xoxo

With love always
Jessica, Mario and family.

A Tribute to Clif

It was entirely appropriate that I met Lora while working in a used bookstore in San Diego. I soon realized that words, spoken and written, are the fabric that warms a Bennett soul, and Lora, a Canadian with US roots, was warming her body in the San Diego sun that nourished her mother, Florence, many years earlier.
Over the years since that meeting, Lora and I spent many long and meaningful hours exchanging many words. We maintained a chain of word-flow regardless of where she and I lived, earlier by postal mail and then more easily with the advent of email.
Early in our friendship, Lora told me fascinating stories about her father, mother, and brother, Eric; stories about the unusual circumstances leading to Clif and Florence’s meeting and romance, as well as Florence’s untimely death, then the years of international adventures that followed.
Eventually, Lora moved to Sweden, but about 25 years later, when we were all much older and I retired and moved to New England in 2002, Lora returned to Ontario to visit Clif. He had recently lost his beloved Veronica, and Lora invited me to join Clif and her for a few days in August while she was there. When I met Clif, it seemed that we had known each other for years. His broad smile and warm words welcomed me into his home. I finally met the legend.
A few years later, in 2010, Lora wrote suggesting a collaborative project of words and old photos based on a photo album from Clif’s study. She proposed that we work together on a special gift for Clif, a book composed of those old photos combined with reminiscences she would provide. It became my first publishing venture. During that project, I gained a sketchbook of Clif Bennett memories.
Clif’s own writing experience dates to a time before most of us, including me, were born. His writing originally appeared as magazine articles, books of poetry, short stories, children’s stories, and even mimeographed newsletters and sheets sent to friends and eager readers. Lora and Eric proposed a more ambitious project of gathering all these disparate Clifton Northridge Bennett memorabilia into a book. Knowing what I knew about Clif, I knew it would be a fascinating project. Lora and Eric sent me a large box containing virtually everything Clif wrote that was still available in every conceivable format and condition, and Collected Works reached readers in 2013 providing a glimpse into Clif’s creative thoughts and experiences over many years.
And now, the man is gone, yet he remains in the hearts and minds of all who knew him, including me.

Will miss Clif, even though I just started getting to know him in his 100(s). I have a wonderful memory of going through a book of his past with him, the adventures of his early life, seeing pictures of his first love Florence who brought into the world his two amazing children, Eric and Lora, who to this day sparkle with Clif’s Spirit living on.

Cliff was the person who gave space to women in crisis in 1979 which was how I knew him and Veronica who taught me crisis intervention and became a second mother to me. Cliff was unusual, eccentric and an adventurer in the world. My love to Eric and Lora and the family.

Sending healing prayers & our deepest sympathy for your loss.

Jack, Debra & family.

Cliff and Veronica met Carole as neighbors.
During those years, Cliff provided unfathomable help and solace for Carole as she passed through a dark period. He will be forever in her heart for that.
In later years, sailing with Lora and Eric on Georgian Bay always brought the Bennet view of life to life.

We can only offer our heartfelt condolences to the family.

Clif was the perfect gentleman adventurer. Listening to him describe his life experiences was like stepping into a cherished book, or a time machine. Each meeting with him was a real pleasure for both Carole and myself, from the first time he walked into our library, until the celebration of his 100th birthday. A truly gracious citizen of the world. Godspeed and thank you Clif.

I love this picture of Clif, the twinkle in his eye. My best memory of Clif will be the summer Lora and I played frisbee with him in Lake Couchiching. It was a hot summer day, yet the water was cold. Although he wasn’t carrying an inch of extra insulation, Clif outlasted us all in the water. I suspect he was just having too much fun to notice the goose bumps!
Praying for you all as you grieve this loss. May you find comfort as you remember the joy that Clif’s life brought to you and to so many others. He was a remarkable man.
Blessings.

Eulogy – Clifton N Bennett by his daughter Lora Bennett

Clif was my dad for 68 years. I’m struggling with the reality of life without him in it. He was my only parent for the first four years of my life. I have him to thank for my love of a good discussion and for my love of writing.

Clif was born in the first year of The Spanish Flu and died more than a century later in the midst of another pandemic. He grew up in New York City with a dad who drove trains and a mom who loved to supply him with books.

Dad became known for his sense of justice. He tells the story of being nine years old and having come to school with a newly covered text book. The paper used was cheap and made an annoying crinkling sound. His third grade teacher got annoyed, came over, banged his head into a closet door, then returned to the front of the class. At that point Clif went to the door at the back of the classroom.

“Where do you think you’re going?” his teacher asked.

“To the principal,” he answered.

Having been given an account of events, the principal said “The fourth grade teacher will not bang your head against the closet door so do you know your 6X tables?”

Clif answered by reciting the 6, 7, 8 and 9X tables whereupon the principal said, “Good, then you can start in Grade Four.”

Not many children have the agency to navigate the hierarchy and bring about justice for themselves but this seemed to be one of Clif’s super-powers even at the age of nine.

His dad was implemental in starting the local Railroad Union. When diagnosed with a heart disease the company doctor was ordered to send Clif’s dad back on the job. The doctor knew he would be dead within a week and he was. Dad’s response was not only to take on the responsibility of supporting his mom and brother but also join several movements that give a voice and some power to the disenfranchised. Early on, he came to see himself as an anarchist. This continued until his final days.

Throughout his adult life he found allies in people with strong ideas. One of them was the Professor who came to Mexico after working with lepers on a tropical island. There were grapes growing everywhere so the Professor decided grapes were good for the health and started a health colony. Edmund Szekely ( was not actually a titled professor but everyone called him that) and wife Deborah started Rancho La Puerta in 1940 at Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. Dad had read a book about the Professor’s ideas, got a job there and ended up meeting his future wife and mother of his children there.

Another household name was Ed Landberg who started the Cinema Guild in 1952 based on market research of the university students in Berkeley California. Dorothy Day was another household name as dad moved in the direction of the Catholic Worker in his desire for social justice. Another household name was Emma Goldman and also her closest friend who ended up living in exile with her in Toronto.

Dad was a fabulous recreation organizer for us two kids. We got to scamper up mountains of sawdust and come home with sawdust in our hair. We went for rides in the country hour after hour, following our noses in any direction. On the weekends he made piles of pancakes with every topping you can think of (peanut butter and cottage cheese….). He used brown sugar and apple slices with plenty of butter. There were also mountainous plates of bacon and tomatoe sandwiches and his all-day soup was unequalled anywhere.

Dad was not the most emotional guy around. However, he made up for that with a sense of presence that was phenomenal. I would stand back when we were renting a video in Sweden for example and watch the eyes of the store owner grow round with wonder and respect as the two of them talked about protesting the police state. One of our family friends describes dad as “legendary”. Others are forever thankful for being able to meet such a devoted activist for human rights. Still others remember him for his poetry. One woman told him that she had quit her job and gone on a trip to S America after reading one of his poetry collections.

It is that sense of presence that makes it hard to wake up to a world that no longer has dad in it. I’m just thankful that he stuck around long enough so that every word I could ever want to hear and say, like “I love you” were heard and were said.

I believe dad left no project unfinished, no turn in life un-explored. I think at the end he wondered what purpose his life had but from where I stood he was the stand-in father for at least a dozen people who had lost theirs and were glad that he was still around.

There’s no filling these shoes now that they’re empty but walking on will be the richer for all of us from having shared the life and times of Clifton Northridge Bennett.

Goodbye old pal. A long-time friend we hadn’t seen in person for a number of years due to the physical distance separating us. Clif had always been very kind and considerate of us both. He was a person of extraordinary wit and facility with the pen, and a real and abiding champion of the underdog and the exploited. And what an entertainer! We are saddened knowing that he is no longer around. And memory of him will always be with us. Our condolences especially go to Eric and Lora.

What a long, full and varied life Clif had, which included working in Nigeria around 1962. That’s where our family connected with the Bennett family and we continued our connection through the years. So now we celebrate his life and wish him well.

From Sweden 2003 while visiting relatives on Gotland.

Dear Lora and Eric through these messages I have read today I have had many new glimpses into how Clif your beloved Dad and friend to many made his indelible impression in all of our lives. The words, memories facts shared in the messages are heart warming to read and are expressed by warm grateful hearts. Gratitude to all for expanding my appreciation for Clif. Lora, the Eulogy you wrote in tribute to your Dad, Clif was so thoughtfully and lovingly woven together with a lovely series of images facts and skilful writing that portrays the diverse and real life experience (I appreciate the word ‘legend’) of a man who lived live to the fullest extent one that touched many many lives in important ways. From the stories you Lora have told me about your Dad his life could read like a fascinating and entertaining script. I count myself in good company among those that have been enriched by Clifton Northridge Bennett’s remarkable life. Even his name speaks of someone noble who would have a valuable mission in live and significant contribution to make. I am grateful also that He and Florence brought two stars into our world Eric and Lora. His legacy continues through them. When Florence’s star faded he also, made an excellent choice when he chose Dear Veronica as his wife and mother of his children. I am one among many who respectfully and with affection honour Dear Clif’s life and memory.

My sincere condolences to Eric and Lora, I had the pleasure of knowing an amazing man and his wonderful children, he will be missed for his wonderful personality and stories he loved to tell me, I will always remember Cliff and our time spent together, thinking about you and your family at this sad time in your life. Suzanne

So many years have passed, since I first met Clif – as dad to friends Lora and Eric, when we were just kids in grade school. Through the years I would periodically would meet Clif again, and always welcomed the opportunity. The twinkle in his eye always represented his spirit of caring ( and a healthy dollop of mischievousness) to me…and I will remember that forever. Sincere condolences, Lora and Eric.

Distant Friend,

Have you now discovered the sound of one hand clapping?

Kind thoughts to your family as we dwell on your impact on others.

Alan

Dear Lora and Eric
Although we did not have the pleasure of knowing your beloved father, I feel that his life will live on through the two of you. It was nice to read your lovely written eulogy Lora and all the other messages of condolenceses. It gave us a much more idea of the essence of a great father. Our sincere sympathies to all.
Your friends,
Marta & Steve