York Bennett passed away on November 26, 2022, after a courageous fight against colon cancer. He was 78 years old. He will be remembered tenderly by many friends and family members, especially his savvy Scrabble partner and wife, Angela; his daughter, Indra, and son-in-law, Avi; his scrappy grandchildren, Brooks (7) and Margot (4); and his sisters-in-law, Denise and Paula.

York was a gentle soul with a muscular, larger-than-life presence. He always had a story to share. As an exercise enthusiast, he began weightlifting in his teens and pumped iron at Muscle Beach throughout the 1970s, even flexing his biceps in a few fitness magazines. He and Angela fell in love in their 20s, while working together at a post office in the San Fernando Valley, and he remained a caring partner throughout their 48 years of marriage. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and in the Air Force reserves for decades. He was a longtime corrections officer before retirement, and he occupied his spare time with pop music, card counting, vitamins, pocket knives, hydraulic jacks, Madonna, rubber bands, dogs and studying the Scrabble dictionary. He also was an avid reader and trivia lover — no one knew more about the U.S. Presidents than York did.

Above all, York's defining trait was his kindness. He made a point to remember your name and to show his appreciation. He insisted on paying for your meal, whether you liked it or not. He donated generously (and sometimes excessively) to many charities, including St. Jude's and the Wounded Warrior Project. Being a husband, father and grandfather thrilled him, and two of his greatest joys in life were (1) rubbing his grandchildren's heads, and (2) giving them rolls of quarters to fill their piggybanks.

Luckily, the people closest to York knew how much he loved them, because he told them all the time. He will be greatly missed.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, December 11, from 11:00 until 3:00 at McCormick & Son Mortuary, located at 25000 Moulton Parkway, in Laguna Hills. Lunch and refreshments will be served onsite, and all friends and relatives are invited. A private burial will take place on December 15, at Miramar National Cemetery, in San Diego. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charities mentioned above or an organization of your choice.