96880

He Filled the Time Available

Bryan C. Bennett could turn an opportunity into an adventure, and in his 25 years, he had too many of both to recount in detail. The highlights included working on a farm in Spain, teaching English to schoolchildren in Chile, visiting a remote village in Cuba, white-water rafting in Costa Rica, and backpacking in the Andes.

"He stretched the time. I don't know how he did it all," said his mother, Ondina Bennett. "Every moment was an opportunity to do something, learn something, help somebody."

Mr. Bennett, who worked in sales for eSpeed, had moved from Boston to New York about 18 months ago to spend more time with his family. As the youngest of three children and the only boy, he tried never to miss family gatherings and vacations. He was an avid tennis player who was introducing his four nephews and one niece to the sport, along with baseball and video games. In his free time, he took advantage of opportunities closer to home. Most recently, he signed up for piano lessons at the New School and organized an engagement party for two of his closest friends.

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 15, 2001.