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Leonard J. Bench

September 25, 1926 - May 04, 2025

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Obituary For Leonard J. Bench

Leonard J. Bench

Husband, father, builder, mechanic, technician, and noted personality, Leonard J. Bench died peacefully on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at age 98. Born on September 25, 1926 to Edward B. Bench and Josephine (Wavrek) Bench, Len was raised in Carrick, graduated from Carrick H.S. in 1944 and served in the U.S. Army Air Force at the end of WW II in the occupation forces in Japan. He married Irene (Schertzinger) on July 16, 1949 and together they raised nine sons in Baldwin. He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Irene, his son Robert, his parents, his siblings Edward (Mary Louise), Constance (Jim) Sanders, Jerome, Daniel, Thaddeus (LaVonne). He is survived by his sons Leonard (Christine), Thomas (Lois), David (Claire), Vincent (Janet), Charles (Margie), Gary (Dawn), Michael (Kathleen) and James. Also survived by sisters Claudia Lang and Claire Breisinger, sisters-in-law Ann and Mary Ann. Len and Irene had 21 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. Self-taught, accompanied with encyclopedic knowledge, multiple skills, wisdom, tenacity and good humor, Len, in business with his father and brothers, built many houses, in the East Hills, Carrick, Bethel Park, and developed a subdivision in Baldwin. He retired as a technician at U.S. Steel Research. Len lovingly passed his Roman Catholic faith onto his family. He lived independently up to his death with wonderful attention from Baptist Manor associates. Incomparable, sober, talented, strong and loving, he will be greatly missed. A mighty oak has fallen before the ax.

Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 2-8 p.m. Funeral prayer on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial in St. Benedict the Abbot Church - St. John XXIII Parish,120 Abington Drive, McMurray, PA 15317 at 10:00 a.m. The Mass on Friday will be live-streamed at www.john23.org

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Condolences

  • May 08, 2025

    Rich Krieger

    Deepest sympathies to my "Bench Boys" cousins. Visited him with my mom (Sweetie) in early 2023 at The Baptist Home-he was making about 12 servings of spaghetti in his apartment! He was still amazingly alert, involved, intelligent, online, etc. Truly a renaissance man! Fond memories of 1200 Irene Lane, watching him build houses nearby, moon landing party, millions of picnics and he was SUCH an encourager for your mom when she was very ill. So sorry I could not get up there . If I did the math correctly, Sweetie (Mary) was born 48 days before Uncle Len, and he died 90 days after her. So he won the Schertzinger side longevity award. May he rest in Eternal bliss.

  • May 08, 2025

    Claire Breisinger

    I w a s his baby sister Claire, bookends of the family. We chatted about his happy days with siblings at camp during the 30's, singing the depression song with his sister Connie... " No more money in the bank, no cute babies to spank, so what's to do about it? Let's turn out the lights and go to sleep! ( bump, bump, hitting the pillows) 🥰God love Irene, they moved about 17x, owned about a hundred cars and read thousands of books! Len lived life to the fullest and will remain in my heart forever, proud to be his sister!❤️Claire Breisinger

  • May 07, 2025

    Joanne (Bench) Pantanella-Crumling

    My thoughts are with my cousins, the "Bench Boys" as you send your dad off to join Aunt Irene and the child and siblings who have gone before him. Some memories that I have are his saying, upon telling someone that he just met, "I have nine boys. No girls. Only boys;" his opening a pizza shop on Brownsville Road in Carrick and standing in line for a free slice - proud that it was my Uncle Len handing out a delicious (I think square) cut of dough, sauce, and cheese; calling my mom, Mary Ann (Len's brother Daniel's wife) "Mary Agnes;" and hearing that he was building his own gyrocoptor. He had a smile that reached his eyes and a laugh that was contagious. I'm sure that he will be sorely missed by all that he has left behind. Rest in peace (and tear it up in heaven with the rest or your nutty brothers) Uncle Len.

  • May 07, 2025

    Andrea Goodman

    My sympathies go out to the 'Bench Boys' and their families. So many wonderful memories in that neighborhood. RIP Mr. Bench after a long and fruitful life.

  • May 07, 2025

    Claudia Lang

    A super great brother that enabled me and Larry to build our first and only house. My sympathy to his sons that will carry on his legacy.❤️

  • May 07, 2025

    Claudia lang

    What a great brother. He developed the Bench plan in Baldwin and I moved there as a bride. Thanks to him I was able to buy a lot and when Larry got out of the Navy and we married, we built our first and only house there. This pic of my sister and I with him and Lats (both in heaven) was taken at our annual Bench reunion in South Park in August 2023. May he rest in peace❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • May 07, 2025

    Nancy & Bruce

    Uncle Lenny always had a great smile on his face, a funny story to share and one of the best laughs you could ever hear!! He will be missed.

  • May 06, 2025

    Mark and Karen Russell

    Our sincere prayers and sympathy to the entire Bench family. What a wonderful, long life he had. May he rest in peace with the Lord.. Mark and Karen Russell (good friends of Dave and Claire)

  • May 06, 2025

    Mary Beth aka Lizzy

    Uncle Len's laugh and smiling eyes! One time when we all camped together in Pymatuning, I offered to impress him with a magic trick, taught to me by his brother, Daniel (my father). In honor of my cousin, Robbie - "Long story short" - the card he chose without my seeing it (a Bench is proud of correct grammar), I asked for $10.00 if the next card I turned over was his. He had seen his card (queen of hearts) overturned already and laughed his raucous laughter! With all the confidence a young child could muster I flipped the next card . . . It was the Queen of hearts! I had unknowingly had a pinochle deck of cards! The whole cabin erupted in laughter. I'm not sure if he paid me, but the miracle that took place was enough for me. It's dang hard to get one over on a Bench!!!