Bennett D. Avila

Bennett David Avila, age 75, passed away in Flemington, NJ, on April 26, 2026.

Ben was a graduate of Delaware Valley Regional High School (Frenchtown, NJ) and Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ) where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. During his time at Stevens, Ben served as the president of both the class of 1973 and his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, while also playing on the varsity lacrosse team.

After college, Ben began his career with a brief stint as an electrician before transitioning to a lifetime of entrepreneurship. In the mid 1970’s, Ben purchased the Forge and Anvil restaurant and worked hand-in-hand with his wife Dee over the next three decades growing “The Forge” into a critically acclaimed staple within the Kingwood Township community. Beyond the restaurant, Ben possessed a lifelong love of farming. Over the years, he raised a variety of animals but ultimately focused on breeding and raising a large herd of Scottish Highland cattle. Ben blended his passion for farming with his restaurant career and had the vision to adopt the “farm to table” concept long before if became a movement, offering his home-grown quality beef to his patrons.

Following the sale of “The Forge,” Ben and Dee wanted to make something special for the community and built The Highland Gourmet Market on their Kingwood Township property. They proudly offered homemade meals and fresh fare in both the store and at local farmers’ markets, becoming a vital supplier for their neighbors and making many good friends along the way.

Everyone knew Ben, and he will be remembered by many for his tremendous sense of humor, a love for being outdoors working on his farms, his dedication and vision in his ventures and above all, the love he had for his wife and family.

Bennett is survived by his wife Denise (Dee); his son, Graham, and wife Jackie, and their sons, Bennett and Owen; his daughter, Dawn, and husband, Rob Godown, and their daughters, Linsey and Abigail. He is also survived by his sister, Ivy Avila; her son Nick Jones; and daughter-in-law Meredith Avila, and her children Regan and Reese. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bennett Avila and Florence (Floss) Avila, and son Cale Douglas Avila.

Cremation services took place privately. Services are being planned for a later date under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.