Terry Bennett

Terry Bennett, 68, of McDonald, died Friday, May 25, 2018 at his home.

He was born August 7, 1949, in Morgantown, WV, 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 Company in Finleyville, PA and Emerald Mine in Waynesburg, PA, retiring in 1998.  During this time, he was a fire boss and a member of the mine rescue team for 25 years.

Mr. Bennett was a dedicated member of the McDonald Volunteer Fire Department.  He also served as the mayor of McDonald since 2011 and was a member of Chartiers Lodge #297 F.&A.M., Canonsburg. Additionally, he was a former president of the 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; and 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 – 8 p.m. Tuesday May 29, 2018 and Wednesday May 30, 2018 at Nation Funeral Home, Inc., 220 E. Lincoln Ave., McDonald, PA.  Everyone is requested to go to St. Alphonsus R.C. Church, W. Lincoln Ave., McDonald for funeral services, which will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 31, 2018 with Rev. Susan Petritis and Rev. Joe DiDonato officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to McDonald Volunteer Fire Department, N. McDonald St., McDonald, PA 15057 or to Gateway Hospice, 95 W. Beau St., Suite 510, Washington, PA 15301 or to the Meadows Track Chapel, 210 Racetrack Rd., Washington, PA 15301.