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Bruce Dal Canton
Bruce Dal Canton
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Bruce Dal Canton Obituary
Dal Canton died of esophageal cancer. A Carnegie funeral home confirmed his death.
Born and raised near Pittsburgh, Dal Canton starred at California University of Pennsylvania. However, he didn't attract a lot of attention from big league scouts and went to work as a high school teacher and coach.
In the mid-1960s, Dal Canton went to a Pirates' tryout camp, hoping for one last chance at a baseball career. The Pirates signed him and he made his major league debut with them in 1967.
Dal Canton went 8-2 with Pittsburgh in 1969 and then 9-4 with the 1970 NL East champions. After that season, the Pirates traded him with Freddie Patek to Kansas City. He was 8-10 for the Royals in 1974 and pitched his only two career shutouts.
Dal Canton went 51-49 with a 3.67 ERA from 1967-77 with Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Atlanta and the Chicago White Sox.
He spent more than 25 years in the Atlanta system as a pitching coach, most recently at Class A Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League, where he coached until mid-May.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
47 Entries
bob onstott
July 13, 2020
I am a big pirate fan , Bruce pirate stay had good results , 9 wins 4 loses for the 1970 east division champs Pgh Pirates , that is good stuff . RIP Bruce Del Canton
Matt West
March 21, 2010
Helene,
Have been traveling recently on business, and have been to spring training in both Arizona and Florida. Two weeks ago I was in Orlando meeting with the Braves, and was able to reconnect with many of Bruce's friends and biggest fans. Brian Snitker, Rick Albert, Bobby Dews, Randy Ingle, Paul Runge, Rockett Wheeler, etc. I felt Bruce was with us, and many of us talked about the two of you. I hope I can make it to Myrtle Beach this year for the opener.
Juliana and the girls send their love.
Matt
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Jack Abney
April 19, 2009
Very sorry to see the loss of Bruce. He was a very nice man. Ralph Garr and Bruce coached me during 1994 Fantasy Camp in West Palm Beach. I attended again in 1996 and 1997. Always enjoyed visiting with Bruce. My son and I saw Bruce at a Greenville Braves game and we caught a foul ball. Mailed it to Bruce later and he had everyone sign it for us. He will be missed. God bless.
John Gelestor
April 14, 2009
Helene,
So sorry for your loss. Mr Dal Canton taught with my mother at Burgettstown High and she always spoke so highly of him.
Bryan Digby
October 21, 2008
I played for Bruce for several seasons. I am sad for you and your families loss. He was a great man and a great instructor. He really cared for his players and his family. He will be missed.
Craig Van
October 18, 2008
May God Bless you all in this time of loss. I grew up a Pirates fan watching Bruce and was thrilled to meet him more recently at Pelicans games in Frederick, MD. What a true gentleman in every way! My prayers,
Nancy Z. West
October 14, 2008
Dear Mrs. Dal Canton, Bruce and I were neighbors in California. He was two years older. I remember him pitching a baseball day after day through a tire on the side of a shed. What a nice person. Our condolences.
October 13, 2008
Dear Helene-
I am so sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of you both at Burgettstown High when we were in the 8th grade and Bruce was our teacher and you were our cheerleading coach. We watched your romance blossom on the buses to the games and have never forgotten the love you two shared. My heartfelt sympathy.
Georgia Kemp Caraway
Matt West
October 13, 2008
Helene,
It was an honor to attend the service for Bruce, and I am so grateful to you for bringing us all together for lunch and allowing me to meet family and friends. Bruce was so many things to me; pitching coach, mentor, father figure, and most of all, friend. When I think of Bruce, I think of character, values and principles. Honest, caring and respectful. All things good. Bruce's legacy for many of us, is in the life lessons we pass along to our children. The essence and beauty of Bruce's unyielding spirit is perhaps best captured in a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr., "the time is always right, to do what is right". He was the finest person I have ever known, and will miss him dearly. Please know that all of us are thinking of you and wishing you Godspeed.
Love,
Matt
Edith Armstrong Davidson
October 12, 2008
To Mrs. Dal Canton,
I was sorry to hear of your loss.
It's nice to see that your marriage survived all these years--I was a student at Burgettstown when you got married. It seems that the divorce statistics are so overwhelming sometimes.
I remember you as one of the outstanding teachers I had in high school and hope this is not an inappropriate time to tell you that.
I pray that you will find comfort in your memories. It seems that you had a very special husband.
Susan Armstrong Sproul
October 12, 2008
Dear Mrs Dal Canton, I am so sorry to hear of your dear husband's death. I remember him distinctly talking about the man upstairs, our Father in heaven. I can't remember very much from my eighth grade science class, but I do remember Mr Dal Canton taught us how to pitch and bat in the classroom! He must have loved the game. And he loved my eighth grade algebra teacher. You two were a great example to junior high students!! I am so thankful Burgettstown students got to know Mr Dal Canton, who married our teacher, before the Pirates signed him on. He was a hero to us!!
Ricky
October 12, 2008
There is yet another Super Star in Heaven's all star baseball team! Bruce was the type of player who gave 100 % in every game --- a TRUE winner in every way.
Thanks for the memories. Bless you forever.
paul smith
October 12, 2008
being a life long baseball fan my condolances go out to the whole Dal Canton family he was a credit to the game thank you
Judy (Moran) Sadowski
October 12, 2008
Helene,
I had the privilege of meeting you and Bruce at Fred and Jerri Patek's back in 1971. You were a lovely couple and I was big fan of Bruce. You have my deepest sympathies.
Veronica Vasseur
October 11, 2008
Remember you during your Braves days. Used to go to Atlanta to watch the games.
May you rest in peace.
Steve Pratt
October 11, 2008
I had the privelege of working as the redio announcer for the Durham Bulls from 1982-84 when Bruce was the pitching coach there. What a gentleman and great guy! I NEVER heard him utter a negative comment about any pitcher under his tutelage. He always had a smile on his face. It was with great sadness I heard of his passing. My condolences to his wife and family. It must be somewhat comforting to read how he was universally loved by those who worked with, and played for, him through the years. God Bless.
Patty Blum
October 10, 2008
As a baseball lover and a former Pittsburgher, it was nice to have a familiar face at the Myrtle Beach baseball games.
Met him a few times, and talked about 'Carnegie'.
He will be missed by many.
The family will be in my prayers.
Bryan Bonnell
October 10, 2008
Dear Helene,
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. Bruce was a great man. I was lucky enough to work with him in the minor leagues. I worked for the Lynchburg Hillcats. He was one of the few coaches everyone including fans knew. I myself will truly miss him in the clubhouse as well as on the field. I will never forget the last time I spoke with him, he told me that if I ever needed a job with a baseball team just give him a call and he would be my first reference. He was a great man and will be missed in the baseball world. You have my thoughts and prayers.
carolyn
October 10, 2008
so sorry to hear of the passing of Canton. thank you for sharing your pitching life with us in kc. may you rest in piece
Bill Slack
October 10, 2008
Dear Helene,
Bruce was a true friend, a great pitching coach, just a wonderful person. He will be missed by all he touched. I always thought of you both as the perfect couple. God Bless you Helene.
Sincerely Bill Slack
Dylan Allen
October 10, 2008
im sorry to haer about him i miss him he used to be great pirates player im a pirates and steelers fan im from pittsburgh have a good life rip
Susan Alvarez
October 10, 2008
A great teacher who will be missed.
Class of 76
Union High School, Burgettstown, PA
Al Autry
October 10, 2008
My first years of professional baseball were with Bruce in KC. I was involved later in a trade to the Braves with Bruce. Always a gentleman, always a mentor, always to be remembered
October 10, 2008
Home is the hunter, home from the fields. My condoloscene to yours
Harry Simpson
October 10, 2008
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
john mlodik
October 10, 2008
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Kelly Polk
October 10, 2008
May God be with your family and enjoy the game in Heaven...
Dusty Buhler
October 10, 2008
I well remember Bruce in his time with the Braves. My condolences ar ewith his family in this time of sorrow.
But I imagine that he is up there in Heaven trying to teach other former players on how to pitch.
Jim Fitzhugh
October 10, 2008
Bruce Dal Canton will always be remembered for his love of the game of baseball. His contribution to the Braves organization is written forever in the hearts of those who knew him.
To the family, I express my deepest sympathy. My prayers are with you all. May the God of love, mercy, peace and all comfort surround you at this time.
Greg Taylor
October 10, 2008
I had Bruce as a substitute teacher at Burgettstown High School in PA back around 1979. Very nice man.
Braves Jeff
October 10, 2008
Thanks for the years coaching the Braves, Bruce.You were a great pitching coach. RIP.
DAN CORTEZ
October 10, 2008
i GOT TO SEE BRUCE PITCH AND COACH, GOD BLESS HIM.
Joanne Waits
October 10, 2008
Helene, my heart is breaking for you. Your friendship, although at a distance, has meant so much to me. I'll write later. Much love and prayers.
Arther Holcomb
October 10, 2008
Rest in Peace. God Bless your Family.
Ryan Chambers
October 10, 2008
Always a Brave. God be with your family.
Sharon Thomas
October 10, 2008
My thought's and prayer's,go out to all of his family. Bruce is in Heaven, being well taken care of.
B T
October 10, 2008
God Bless you and your family.
Jay D
October 10, 2008
R.I.P.
D. ZIMMERMAN
October 9, 2008
REST IN PEACE BRUCE DAL CANTON
Danny Stephens
October 9, 2008
Thanks for all the great years, Bruce.
Keith Ray
October 9, 2008
Helene,
My deepest sincere condolences. I just signed on the ajc site and found news of Bruce's passing. It was beyond stunning to say the least. I wish I knew better what to say at a time like this. My greatest childhood and early adult memories were of the countless times he took out of his busy schedule to afford us patience in sharing his advanced love of the game by teaching and demonstrating it directly with some neighborhood kids. His pleasant demeanor, humor, generosity and tenacity made an impact in my life that will always be with me, more so than I could ever in person thank. He will certainly be missed by us all. Please, I am not sure as to what I can offer or do, but if there is anything whatsoever I could do in assisting you during this time or thereafter, please don’t hesitate to contact us. God Bless
bruce yandle
October 9, 2008
Another Brave face gone for good. I remember having Bruce on my Strat-o-Matic Pirates team back in the day. RIP
jack w
October 9, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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