Hanging out with W.A.C. Bennett
A a greeting from W.A.C. Bennett in the fall, 1971 edition of Beautiful British Columbia Magazine.
I’m a huge geek when it comes to history. I especially love British Columbian history so when I was in Kelowna last week I thought I’d track down the grave of the one of British Columbia’s most colourful and influential historic figures.
Peter Gzowski described W.A.C. Bennett as “the man who for the 20 years he served as premier was British Columbia and in the hearts and minds of many people still is.” Gzowski spoke those words in 1977 and I think they still hold true to this day.
Bennett served as premier (or prime minister) under the conservative and populist BC Social Credit banner from 1952 until 1972 – the longest tenure of any premier.
He oversaw rapid development of British Columbian industry and infrastructure. Among his accomplishments he nationalised the ferry system, expanded post-secondary education, and created BC Hydro, a public electric utility. The W.A.C. Bennett Dam and the W.A.C. Library at Simon Fraser University are both named in his honour.
Most deceased premiers are buried in Victoria and their grave markers are usually indistinguishable from those on surrounding plots. Bennett’s memorial, however, is quite ostentatious.
His grave site is marked with a large tombstone standing approximately 1.5 metres (about 5 feet). The tombstone is surrounded by a small park which includes six above ground monuments as well as a memorial wall. The two above ground monuments in front of the tombstone, which loosely resemble coffin lids, are fronted with markers for both Bennett and his wife May Richards Bennett.
The grave site, which has been developed and marketed as a centrepiece of the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery, pays tribute to Bennett’s free market ideology. For $2,110 you can have your ashes interned in the monument over Bennett’s grave.
These days the B.C. Social Credit are largely inactive so there’s little hope of ever voting them back into government again. You can, however, spend the rest of eternity with W.A.C. Bennett in this last plot of Social Credit dirt.
Plots for sale on one of W.A.C. Bennett’s grave markers. 
W.A.C. Bennett He loved British Columbia with a passion and raised her, like a child to maturity in the family of Canada 
May Bennett She was a very strong but quiet lady, very family oriented, known and loved by thousands of people across the province. She wasn’t one who sought the limelight. 
The grave site for W.A.C. and May Richards Bennett. 
The tombstones for W.A.C. and May Richards Bennett. 
Standing next to W.A.C. Bennett’s tombstone.
Wait so people are having their ashes placed above his grave? I wonder if thats what he would have wanted or not. Im a big admirer of him historically but I dont think id get my ashes placed on top of his grave or anyones unless maybe it was my own family.
Glad to see its well maintained.
I also admire Bennett. He was British Columbia’s one and only “nation builder.” In my view, he was one of British Columbia’s most effective proponents and his legacy will be felt for generations to come.
Perhaps his stature is such that many people want to be interred near him.
That being I thought it was a bit bizarre.
Aww, thanks! 🙂 Have you spent time in Kelowna?
Great article!!!! A timeless treasure in smalltown BC. I love the last sentence. So funny!
Yup! Back in 1960!
Didn’t know that he had been responsible for nationalizing the ferry system.