Brian Homer Bence, 59, of Apollo, passed away May 27, 2017, after struggling many years with heart failure. Brian was born, April 21, 1958, son of Dorothy (Shoff) Neilson and the late Clinton Bence. Brian graduated from Kiski Area High School in 1977. He met his wife Laurie while cruising down Main St., Vandergrift in his Volkswagen Super Beetle trying to keep up with her Pontiac Firebird. It was love at first sight and they were married a short time later. He enlisted in the United States Navy where he served twenty years as an Aircraft Electrician on the P3 Orions. Brian was stationed for 15 years in Jacksonville, Florida, and 5 years in Brunswick, Maine. While in the Navy he was deployed on several aircraft carriers: The USS Theodore Roosevelt, The USS Abraham Lincoln and The USS Forrestal. Brian was very meticulous and took great pride in his work and his family. After retiring from the Navy, he returned to his hometown where he worked in construction for a short time before his employment at Allegheny Ludlum, where he was a grinder. Brian enjoyed woodworking, working on his cars, and riding his motorcycle. He loved spending time with his family and friends where he enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, swimming, canoeing and racquetball and playing with his dog, Booger, whom he lovingly referred to as "asshole".
He is survived by his mother, Dorothy (Shoff) Neilson of South Bend, Indiana, his wife Laurie (Spinks) Bence of 37 years, a son, Brandon (Stefanie) Bence of Avonmore, and daughters, Tara (George) Bernier of Maine, Angie Bence of Apollo, Carrie (Steve) Shoemaker of Hawaii, three sisters Judy Marrow of Indiana, Valerie (Dario) Marsili of Vandergrift, Renee (Tanya Ormseth ) Bence of Orlando, thirteen grandchildren Tianna, Annelise, and Aliyah Bernier, Sabrina McCourt, Brandon Jr. and MadaLynn Bence, Noah and Riley Eck, Kaylee Fawcett, Coby, Couston and Ryan Shoemaker. He is preceded in death by his father Clinton Bence, a infant daughter, Jenestine Bence and a grandson Dominic Bernier.
Family and Friends will be received on Thursday June 1, 2017 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, at The Janette L. Gamble Funeral Home Inc. 2842 River Road Vandergrift, PA 15690, (724) 567-7006. With a procession to Greenwood Memorial Cemetery where there will be a graveside service with full Military honors with the Vandergrift Honor guard, Pastor Scott Fairman will be officiating. Online condolence may be made gamblefh.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the family.
