BENNETT, Stanley Taylor II 64, of Falmouth passed away on February 23, 2011 in Scarborough. He was President of Oakhurst Dairy for 28 years and most recently Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Strategic Planning. Stanley was born in 1947 in Portland, the son of Donald Huston and Lucia Pond Bennett. He attended Portland Schools and graduated from Deering High School in 1965. After graduating from Tufts University, he went on to receive his law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1972. Shortly thereafter he began working for the family business, Oakhurst Dairy, founded in 1921 by Stanley's grandfather, Stanley T. Bennett. He became President of the Company in 1983. In 1999 he became Chairman of the Board after the passing of his father, Donald H. Bennett. His strong leadership and business acumen, as well as his drive to produce the highest quality dairy products, while also providing superior service, has been most instrumental in making Oakhurst the number one family owned dairy business in Northern New England. Three of his siblings and a brother-in-law also work at the Dairy. Stan felt a deep and abiding loyalty to his employees, customers, farmers, and consumers. Their loyalty to him through their thoughtfulness and support over the last eight months was a terrific source of comfort and joy to Stanley. Over his lifetime, Stan devoted countless hours to many organizations. He was truly passionate about many, but perhaps most particularly, the environment. And like both his father and grandfather, he was committed to giving back to his community. Friends of Casco Bay, Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, and the Tidewater Farm Project were among some of the more recent recipients of his enthusiasm and energy. In years past, The Maine Historical Society, the Portland Tree Challenge, the Maine Audubon Society and the Iris Network were among the many organizations that were also very close to his heart. Stan's other involvements included work with the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Medical Center, the Portland Club, the Woodfords Club , the Maine Bar Association, the Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council, the International Dairy Food Association, the New England Milk Dealers Association, Greater Portland Landmarks, Maine Genealogical Society and the Mayflower Society. He was also twice a Republican Convention delegate and served on both the Falmouth Zoning Board of Appeals and the Falmouth Planning Board. Stan's love of community was contagious within Oakhurst Dairy and employees followed his lead, voluntarily supporting such charitable organizations as the YMCA, The Iris Network, Boy Scouts of America, The Center for Grieving Children, The United Way, Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, and the Salvation Army. Stan also found great pleasure in his genealogy work. He recently completed and published a four hundred page volume chronicling the Bennett Family History. He remained especially close and loyal to a group of friends who enjoyed their annual boat cruise and Sunday football games. Stanley will always be remembered for his extreme generosity and kindness to everyone. Stan was an avid boater and loved his time on Casco Bay on the Lucia II with his close friends and family. More recently he discovered the joy of bird watching, which he delightfully shared with anyone curious enough to listen to each new discovery he made in his backyard and in the nooks and crannies of Casco Bay. Stan is survived by his three children, Theodore, Colby and Sara Jane, and his former wife, Chris Arlander, all of Falmouth. Their incredible love and support were the most important part of his life. Also surviving him are his six brothers and sisters, Priscilla B. Doucette, Althea B. McGirr, William P. Bennett, Jean B. Driscoll, Mary Ellen B. Tetreau and John H. Bennett, their spouses, and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Julie and Dr. Matt Dugan from the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine. 

Published in The Boston Globe on Feb. 27, 2011