Former KREM Radio disc jockey, Hilbert Bennett, 61, better known as “Sweets Galore,” passed away yesterday about 3:45 a.m. at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after failing to recover from an attack of stroke that occurred two weeks ago. The stroke had left the left half of his body paralyzed.
Sweets Galore spent six days at the KHMH before being released, but on Monday, February 19, two days later, he was back in the hospital because his blood pressure had skyrocketed. He was in an almost comatose state, unable to speak and barely conscious.
His condition became worse on Sunday, February 25, when he was diagnosed with pneumonia.
Linda Gomez, his common-law-wife with whom he had lived for about two years, was by his bedside when he died.
Sweets Galore had two attacks of stroke prior to the one that caused his death. But they were at an interval of 3 years, the first occurring about eight years ago.
For several years Sweets Galore was the host of a popular country and Western music program on KREM Radio. His favorite chant when he was on the air was, “Don’t touch that dial!” The program was aired on Wednesday nights after the Dickie Bradley Talk Show.
Before working at KREM, Sweets was a technician at Radio Belize for many years. He also worked at FM 2000 as a technician, and he was one time the driver of the bus that shuttled Belize Airport Authority employees to and from the old capital.
At the time of his death, Sweets Galore was working as a driver at Brodies Warehouse on the Northern Highway.
In his youth, Sweets Galore was a football player. He and his brother, Larry “Charro” Bennett, played for Berger 404. Sweets Galore remained an avid football fan even after he retired from the sport.
Sweet Galore’s wife, Mrs. Margaret Bennett, with whom he lived for about 23 years, said he got the name “Sweets Galore” because he was a “ladies’ man” and he knew how to woo many women.
Sweets Galore is survived by his children – twins Vance and Vanessa; Richard, Hilbert, Jr., and Kevin. He is also survived by his stepchildren – Michael and Darlene Gomez, and Kenrick and Carolyn Crawford.
Besides Larry Bennett, he is survived by brother, Albert Neal; sister Joan Bennett; and predeceased by sister, Mrs. Bernadette Beeks.
Our sources say the popular Sweets, a jovial and fun loving Belizean, will be buried on Sunday.