Terry Bennett
Terry Bennett, 68, of McDonald, died Friday, May 25, 2018, in his home.
He was born August 7, 1949, in Morgantown, W.Va., a son of the late James Albert and Helen Jean Bradford Bennett.
Mr. Bennett was a 1967 graduate of Fort Cherry High School. After attending Hargrave Military Academy, he went on to attend Wake Forest University, where he played football and was a member of the 1970 Demon Deacons ACC Championship team.
He worked as a coal miner for Mathies Coal Co. in Finleyville and Emerald Mine in Waynesburg, retiring in 1998. During this time, he was a fire boss and member of the mine rescue team for 25 years.
Mr. Bennett was a dedicated member of McDonald Volunteer Fire Department. He also served as mayor of McDonald since 2011, and was a member of Chartiers Lodge 297, F&AM, Canonsburg. Additionally, he was a former president of McDonald Belgium Club and chairman of the borough’s zoning hearing board.
Known as “pappy” to his grandchildren, he was passionate about hunting, fishing and coaching sports. As such, he was a former Fort Cherry High School assistant football coach, head wrestling coach and youth baseball coach.
On November 23, 1974, he married Joann Delpiere, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Brian (Kelly) Bennett of Bridgeville, Jamey (Connie) Bennett of Mt. Lebanon and Tim (Bronwyn) Bennett of Atlanta, Ga.; eight grandchildren, Noah, Skylar, Hunter, Blair, Jameson, Leighton, Teddy and Adalyn Bennett; a brother, Dr. James D. (Dorothy) Bennett of Richmond, Ky.; and nephews Justin and Devin Bennett.
Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in Nation Funeral Home Inc., 220 East Lincoln Avenue, McDonald. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 31, in St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church, West Lincoln Avenue, McDonald, with the Rev. Susan Petritis and the Rev. Joe DiDonato officiating. Everyone is asked to go to directly to the church Thursday for services. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to McDonald Volunteer Fire Department, North McDonald Street, McDonald, PA 15057; Gateway Hospice, 95 West Beau Street, Suite 510, Washington, PA 15301; or The Meadows Track Chapel, 210 Racetrack Road, Washington, PA 15301.