Gardner L. Bent

Gardner L. Bent, 94, of Gardner, died peacefully Wednesday, April 25, 2018 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home of Gardner, following complications from a stroke. Gardner was born in Gardner on September 1, 1923, the son of the late Roderick L. and Helen W. (Watkins) Bent. He was a lifelong resident of Gardner and graduated from Gardner High School with the Class of 1941. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology of Cambridge in 1946. He was a United States WWII Army Veteran, and received the WWII Victory Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. Gardner was employed for many years in the family business, S. Bent and Brothers Furniture Company of Gardner. Prior to retiring in 1998, his position with the fine furniture making company was President and Operator. Gardner was the last family member to own the business which was founded in 1867 by Samuel Bent, and he was a member and past President of the National Association of Furniture Manufacturers. Gardner was a member of the First Congregational Church of Gardner. He enjoyed woodworking, golfing, and playing bridge. Gardner had his Pilot’s license, owned his own airplane and loved flying. He played the trombone and was one of the founders of the Stardusters (Big Band). Gardner leaves his wife of 36 years, Patricia W. (Wall) Bent; three sons, Samuel Bent and his wife Nancy of Bellevue, WA, Daniel Bent and his wife Cean of Indianapolis, IN, and Nathaniel Bent and his wife Carol of Erie, PA; sister-in-law, Verna Bent of North Hampton, NH; three nieces Lisa Bent Chace, Carla Bent DesBois and Maraja Bent DiFazio; six grandchildren, Stephen O’Bent, Katie Bent, Jack Bent, Joey Bent, Alex Bent and Julie Bent; and two great-grandchildren, Isaac Bent and Creedence Bent. He was predeceased by his brother John Bent. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, July 22nd at 2:00 p.m. in the First Congregational Church, 28 Green Street, Gardner. Burial will be in Green Bower Cemetery, Union Street, Gardner. There are no calling hours. Family and friends are asked to report directly to the church the day of services. Memorial contributions may be made to GVNA HealthCare, Inc., 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440, or to the First Congregational Church, 28 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Gardner L. Bent. Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner is handling the arrangements.