Obituary of Larry L. Bentley

SHELTON, CONN Larry L. Bentley was born on July 31, 1932 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the son of the late Emma Meeks Bentley. At the age of five, Larry’s mother relocated to Norwalk with he and his two younger siblings. Larry matriculated in the Norwalk Public Schools. During high school, Larry was inducted into the National Honor Society and elected Vice President of his class. Upon graduating with honors from Norwalk High School, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Navy. As a Navy enlistee, Larry served as a medical corpsman. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Larry obtained a job as a messenger at Merchant’s Bank in Norwalk. Larry did so well as a banker that in December 1987, he became the first African-American President of a Connecticut commercial bank, Merchants Bank & Trust Company. Larry eventually moved on to work at Norwalk Savings Bank, then Bank of America and finally Patriot Bank before retiring in 2011 after 54 years in banking. Larry also served on numerous community boards, as well as organizations. To name a few: Larry was appointed to the Norwalk Housing Authority, the Norwalk Police Commission, the Norwalk Zoning Commission, and Treasurer/Director of The Work Place in Bridgeport. Larry leaves to cherish his memory his wife Geneva Holsey Bentley, his sister Deborah Ann (Herbert) Edmondson and a host of nieces and nephews. Larry is predeceased by his mother Emma Meeks Bentley and his brother Ronald F. Meeks. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 11:00am in Bethel A.M.E. Church, 19 Academy St, Norwalk, followed by entombment in Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street, Westport. Calling hours will be held in the church on Tuesday morning from 10:00am to 11:00am. The Bethel A.M.E. Church will be hosting a Repass for the family and friends immediately after the burial. The Commerce Hill Dougiello Funeral Home, 4798 Main Street, Bridgeport has been entrusted with the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel A.M.E. Church in memory of Larry.