Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Sidney
Stuart Bennett (Sid) passed away on April 8, 2023, at his home in Morro Bay. He was 88 years old. Sid was born September 14, 1934, in Long Beach, California to parents Rev. Manford and Agnes Bennett.
After many moves, the family settled in Van Nuys, California. He met his future wife, Beryl Matson, at Van Nuys High School where he graduated in 1953. After graduation, he attended University of the Pacific, Stockton California on a football scholarship. He also played football for Occidental College, and later graduated from Cal State Northridge.
Sid and Beryl were married in 1954 and were blessed with a baby girl, Lisa, in 1956.
Sid’s work as a lay pastor at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Van Nuys, led to his decision to attend Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley where he later received a master’s degree in theology. During that time, Sid and Beryl were blessed once again with the birth of their son, Robert, in 1962. Sid’s first parish was Calvary Lutheran Church in Morro Bay in 1964, and he later accepted a call to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Simi Valley.
Recognizing that one-on-one counseling was his strong suit, he completed his master’s degree and a college counseling credential in preparation to becoming a counselor. Sid was elated to be hired at Cuesta College in 1968, teaching health, helping to coach football, wrestling and golf and later joining the counseling department. He went on to become director of counseling and director of the Career Transfer Center and Job Placement Services. Sid’s dedication to his profession at Cuesta earned him the honor of having the San Luis Obispo County High School Counselor’s Conferences, hosted annually, named after him. At the Cuesta Counseling Center, Sid’s positive and loving encouragement influenced many young people to obtain success in school and life.
Sid was a long-time member of the Morro Bay Rotary Club, on the boards of directors for The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, Achievement House, Meals on Wheels, The Community Concert Association, and the Youth Symphony.
Sid’s faith sustained him. He loved abundantly, unconditionally and without prejudice. His many friends were beneficiaries of that love. But his family was the greatest recipient of his ever-present love; his wife of 68 years, Beryl, his daughter Lisa and husband Bob Fiocca, his son Bob and wife Metta Stiletto, his grandchildren Olivia and Samantha Bennett, his granddaughter Mylea and husband Brent Christensen, great grandchildren Niels and Sidney Christensen and his grandson Travis Smith. They all brought him so much joy and made his life complete. Sid often said, “I am the richest man in the world and the riches have nothing to do with money”.
And he truly believed it!
A celebration of life will be held on May 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks St. San Luis Obispo. Donations in his name may be made to Martin Luther King Jr. High School
Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1693 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406-1693
