Obituary of Wesley Boyd Bennett Jr.

Friday, August 25, 2023, Wesley Boyd Bennett Jr., 40, died unexpectedly at his home in Cortland, NY and was laid to rest Friday, September 1, 2023. He left this world far too soon, the only true comfort is knowing that his soul has finally been set free. Relieved of all pain and suffering. Released from all burdens and is now home. Safe in the arms of his Lord and Savior. Wesley (Jr.) was born March 13, 1983, in Cortland, NY and is the youngest of four siblings. As a child, Jr. grew an avid love for fishing, riding his bike and hanging out with his friends, and being with his family. Jr. was always cracking jokes, he loved making people laugh and boy was he good at it. With his infectious smile and dimples deep enough to swim in, Wesley Bennett Jr was always the life of the party. Wherever he went he was sure to have you splitting your sides in laughter. He was shy, and a bit reserved as a young man. He was also very generous. Jr. would give the shirt off his back to anyone who asked. If he had it to give, it was yours. One of his favorite things was giving someone something just to see their eyes light up and to see them smile. In February 2006, Wesley was married to Laurel Weber, 3 days later they gave birth to both of their first, and his only child, a beautiful, brown-eyed little girl, Brooklyn Neveah. Jr. chose the name Brook the moment they found out they were having a girl because his favorite fish was the brook trout and also his candid crush on then super model Brooke Burke. His daughter Brooklyn was and always had been the light of his whole life. As many people knew Jr., they also knew that he suffered from manic-depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and to cope he developed a severe and debilitating substance abuse disorder. Jr. tried many times to fight off his demons and had periods of success with sobriety. However, at some point those who loved him the most watched helplessly as the Jr. they knew and loved slipped further and further away into the depths and darkness of his addiction. Friends and loved ones could attest that the ‘real Jr.’ left the building about three years ago. Something or someone else had ahold of the reigns. The loss of such a caring and sensitive soul as Jr. was, has been nothing short of crippling, soul crushing, and just devastating to his family and friends, but most of all, for his daughter. He always said she held the key to his heart, but he never got the chance to know with all truth and serenity that HE was the key to HERS. Wesley (Jr.) is survived by both of his parents, Wesley B. Bennett Sr. of Cortland, NY and Kathleen O. Bennett of Groton, NY. His late wife Laurel R. Weber-Bennett of Newfield, NY and his daughter Brooklyn N. Bennett of Newfield, NY. His two older sisters, Ethel (Tony) Cole of Binghamton, NY and Kellie Bennett of Cortland, NY, and his nephew Dakota Bennett of Cortland, NY and many other nieces, nephews, step-brothers and sisters. Wesley was preceded in death by his older brother Charles E. Bennett of Cortland, NY just 6 short months ago.