My City September 2021

MYSTORY

“E ric was a great person who had really moved up in the business world because of his hardwork ing approach,” Jeff Pierce said in a state ment released by Ferris State following the attacks. “Eric was a part of our Bull dog family.When something like this happens, it really hits close to home for a lot of people. Sometimes it doesn’t sink in until you realize how many people have been affected by a situation like this.” While humbled by the outpouring of support, the Bennetts were left won dering if they would ever find answers or experience any kind of closure. Roughly five months after return ing from New York, they finally did.

BENNETT (RIGHT) WAS AN ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYER AT FERRIS STATE

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“It makes me feel that Eric is always with me,” she says. “It’s peaceful.” Reflecting on the full life Eric lived during his 29 years also brings the Bennetts some peace. “Eric was a very busy, loving child and also very protective of Kim,” Betty recalls. “From a young age, Eric played a lot of sports. In elementary school, he bowled and was always outside playing baseball, basketball or riding his bike “ In addition to the sports he earned varsity letters in, Bennett played

basketball and baseball for some sea sons in middle school and high school. He spent many summers on little league baseball diamonds. The gridiron, however, is where Bennett excelled the most. At the time, Kearsley was coached by the legendary Jack Pratt, who racked up a Flint-area record 304 wins with the Hornets, Grand Blanc and Powers Catholic. Recognizing Bennett’s leader ship ability, Pratt selected him to serve as co-captain of the 1988 Kearsley squad

Terry and Betty were notified that some of Eric’s remains had been found. Eventually, Betty opted to have Life Gem, a Chicago-based company, create two diamonds from carbon extracted from Eric’s ashes. One is contained in a pendant his sister had made and the other is set in a ring Betty wears daily.

We Remember

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