Losing your wife must have been devastating. What kept you going through that time?
It was the hardest challenge that I’ve ever had to face. It’s left a permanent hole in my heart. I still miss her every day. If it wasn’t for the kids, I wouldn’t have made it through. They give me a reason to wake up in the morning. I also hold on to the hope that, if there is a life after this one, I might be able to see her again.
As a single father, how do you manage to do such a stressful job whilst looking after ten children?
Well I get a lot of help from Seamus, and Mary Catherine is a lifesaver. I wouldn’t be able to do it without her. She can take ninety-nine percent of the credit for how the kids have coped without their mother. My kids are by far the greatest achievement in my life. Even when I’ve had a real tough day, when I come home all that fades away and although it isn’t exactly peaceful, to me it’s bliss.
It sounds like you’d be lost without Mary Catherine.
I would, totally. She’s an amazing woman. She feels like part of the family now. Although I don’t know how she puts up with us sometimes.
What do you do in your spare time?
As you can imagine I don’t get a lot of spare time! But what time I do have I spend with my kids. I coach my son Eddie’s basketball team. He’s on the JV. Ricky plays on the varsity squad. When things get stressful I put on some eighties rock music – there’s nothing like a bit of AC/DC to help you unwind.
What does the future hold in store for Michael Bennett?
Well I hope I can keep doing the job I love. I think I’ve got a few years left in me yet!