Andrew Dornie Esplin Bentley OBITUARY

Andrew Dornie Esplin Bentley OBITUARY

It is with profound sorrow that we share the passing of Andrew Dornie Esplin Bentley, who left us on January 16, 2025, following a mountain biking accident.

Andrew was born in Silverton, Oregon, on June 1, 1979, to William and Margaret Bentley. From the moment he entered the world, his serious expression seemed to convey an innate drive to help others and improve the world around him. This quality defined his life. Andrew was always ready to lend a hand—whether fixing a car, repairing an appliance, assisting with a move, or simply being there for someone in need. As his younger brother once wrote in a second-grade essay about heroes, “Andy likes putting a smile on people’s faces by doing something funny or nice. Andy has many good characteristics, but being nice is one of the strongest.” His final act of kindness was as an organ donor, ensuring that his legacy of helping others will endure.

Andrew’s youth took him across many places. He lived in Storrs, CT; New Delhi, India; Alexandria, VA; and Towson, MD, but his formative years were spent in Granby, CT. He graduated from Granby Memorial High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in aviation meteorology from the Florida Institute of Technology. Andrew’s professional career saw him contributing to several technology organizations, most recently Butler Aerospace and Defense, where he prepared flight manuals for Sikorsky.

In the past year and a half, Andrew discovered a passion for mountain biking. It wasn’t just the sport that captured his heart but also the community surrounding it. In 2024 alone, he rode over 2000 miles, and one of his final social media posts summed it up succinctly: “Mountain biking is life.”

Andrew is survived by his parents, William and Margaret Bentley; his son, Owen Bentley; and his stepdaughter, Hailey Ruzika, whom he lovingly helped raise with his former wife, Michele Gallant. He also leaves behind his stepmother, Ann Wilhelm; his sister, Anne Kraybill; and his half-brothers, Michael Bentley, Russell Bentley, and Frederick (Ricky) Bentley.

A celebration of Andrew’s life will be Saturday, February 15,2025, providing family and friends an opportunity to share memories and honor the remarkable man who left us far too soon. The celebration will begin at 1 pm at the Holcomb Farm’s North Pavilion, 113 Simsbury Road, West Granby CT. Please RSVP to

andybentleymemorial@gmail.com.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Andrew’s biking community for their enduring support, as well as to the EMT and Life Star teams who transported him to St. Francis Hospital. They also thank the doctors and nurses who provided compassionate care to Andrew and his many visitors during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an education fund established for Owen Bentley and Hailey Ruzika. Donations payable to “Education Fund for Owen Bentley and Hailey Ruzika” can be accepted at any branch location of Liberty Bank or mail to PO Box 149, North Granby, CT 06060. Contributions to a charity of your choice in Andrew’s memory are also welcome.

Most importantly, we ask that you carry on Andrew’s legacy by spreading kindness and making the world a better place, one act of generosity at a time.