Michael G Bennett

Michael Jr. came into this world in Barrow, Alaska, with a smile on his face. He was the middle child of five, the son of Michael Sr. and Rhoda Mae Bennett. He graduated from Nuiqsut Trapper High School with the class of 2002. It was there in Nuiqsut that he and his girlfriend, Erica, had two young children who were the sparkle and twinkle of his eye, his babies, Rosalyn Nakayla and Ciaralyn Grace. Michael Jr. was known by all he knew as a bright young man. He was always young at heart and loved being an extreme adrenaline junkie. He loved his dirt bikes, snowmachines, trucks and so many other toys that his working as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator showed what money can buy. He was an energetic man and was known as a brave one within the community. As much as he loved his "toys," he was known to take care of his family first. He had an abundance of love for everyone in his family, especially his parents and siblings, notably mentioning his eldest sibling, Pauline, and most importantly his children. He loved hunting and fishing. He loved providing for his family's subsistence needs. He enjoyed hunting trips with his friends and was one who always tried to get the first hunt before others. He had many successful hunts. We will think of him often this coming winter as we sit down to eat, as he had already supplied us with a moose and other subsistence foods for the coming winter. He also was known to take care of his elders and always shared his subsistence foods with them. His mother and father said "When Michael died, he was doing what he had always enjoyed doing. Although dangerous, he was living life to the fullest and was on the edge. I am sure he is with all who went before us, smiling and rejoicing in heaven's kingdom. For us, a part of our hearts went with him that day, and we will miss him deeply. We know that he will be waiting for us when it's our turn." Michael was a proud shareholder of Arctic Slope Regional Corp. and Tikigaq Corp. A lifelong resident of Nuiqsut, he left us suddenly in an accident at home. He was greeted in heaven by his grandfather, Charlie Tuckfield; his grandmother, Mary Jane Ahnupkana; his uncles, George Tuckfield, William Stalker and Johnson Tuckfield; and his aunt; Rosalyn Blackman among other family members. He leaves his memories to be cherished by his dearly loved parents, Michael Sr. and Rhoda Mae Bennett; his girlfriend, Erica Kunaknana; his precious children, Rosalyn Nakayla and Ciaralyn Grace; his sisters, Jerri Ann Lane, Pauline and her husband, Robert R. Bowers, and Kristine Bennett and her partner, Henry Garfield; his brothers, Vernon Lee and wife Bibianna Bennett, Daryl Ray and his fiancee, Alice Ahtuangaruak, Alex Hathaway, Lance Hathaway and Sam Earl Kunhakanna; his uncles, Richard Bennett and fiancee Maggie, Keith Bennett, Charlie Jr. and wife Marlene Tuckfield and Robert Tuckfield; aunts, Jeanne Banks and husband Carson, Linda Newman, Fredricka Stalker, Betsy and husband Jacob Stalker and Marlene and husband Paul Kaiser; he leaves behind special "uncle" memories to his nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly; he also leaves behind numerous cousins, other relatives and several of his friends who he leaves with many happy, crazy memories.