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John Bruce DalCanton
John Bruce DalCanton
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John DalCanton Obituary
Husband of Helene Horovitz DalCanton of Carnegie, PA, on October 7, 2008, in St. Clair Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA after a brief illness, his parents, Angelo R. and Iva Flynn DalCanton and sister Cindy DalCanton preceded him in death, he was born June 15, 1941 in California, PA, graduated from California Area High School and earned his B.A. and M.Ed. from California University of Pennsylvania. Bruce, as he was always known to his family and friends, pitched in the major leagues for eleven years and was at the time of his passing the pitching coach of his beloved Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Bruce's major league career began as a pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1967. His teammates included now baseball Hall of Fame members, Roberto Clemente, Bill Mazeroski and Willie Stargell. Bruce also pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Soxs before finding his true calling of teaching young athletes in the major and finally minor baseball leagues. Its was a return of sorts to his career as a high school science teacher at Burgettstown High School. He was honored by numerous sports and community organizations during his career, notably the Western PA Sports Hall of Fame and was one of thirteen elected as a charter inductee to the California University Hall of Fame. In addition to his wife Helene, Bruce is survived by brother Bernard DalCanton his wife Irma of LaPlata, MD, sister Diane Shook and husband Roy of California, PA and Brian DalCanton and wife Irene of Redondo Beach, CA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, aunts Irene Flynn Hoskins of California, PA and Vera Martin of Burgettstown, PA. Friends received at the BAGNATO FUNERAL HOME, 50 Jefferson St., Carnegie, Thursday and Friday 2-8PM. Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Grace Church, Sat. 10am. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to California University of PA Baseball Organization, California, PA, Pittsburgh Pirate Alumni Charities, PNC Park, 115 Federal St., Pgh, PA 15212 or to BAT (Baseball Assistance Team) 245 Park Ave., New York, NY 10167.
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Kim Rivera
October 15, 2008
Dear Helene,
I have enjoyed and treasure the time spent with you and Bruce at the gym. Helene in Lane 1, Bruce in 2 and the rest of us wherever. I have admired the loving friendship, love and respect you have for each other. Helene, your eyes sparkled everytime you spoke of Bruce. I am so sorry that you both have had to endure this difficult time in your lives. I will look forward to some evening walks with you. Until we speak again my friend, you are one very strong woman who I have the utmost respect for. How fortunate you both are to have been able to share your lives together. I did a mile for Bruce today and will miss his smiling face and kind demeanor.
Bill Simpson
October 14, 2008
Dear Helene,
The shock has not faded, and will not do so for quite a while. Mary and I want to express our deep sadness, and our concern for you.
If memory serves correctly, Bruce and I last talked face to face during his final full year of coaching the Braves, at the team's hotel in Chicago. In the nineteen years since then I have never gone very long without wondering what he would say, exercising his common sense, about any of a wide range of subjects.
What characterized Bruce in his dealings with the outside world? Professionalism within decency, one should think -- a formula so seldom acted out, especially in big-time sports, that it is barely imaginable. (Compliments to Paul Runge for most acutely recognizing much the same.)
A picture of Bruce in White Sox uniform will remain on my home office desk in perpetuity.
David McClure
October 14, 2008
To the DalCanton Family...
On behalf of Braves fans and baseball fans everywhere we want to say thank you for sharing Bruce with us. He will be missed by many and I know that he will rest in peace. Say hi to Skip for us Bruce! God bless you all!
Bill Howard
October 12, 2008
Dear Helene. I am so sorry for your loss. Bruce was my favorite basketball coach back at Union High School along with Dave Carson. I remember those times often. It was always a joy to talk to him the few chances I got to see him after I graduated. He will be missed.
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Joan (Teyssier) Kundra
October 11, 2008
Dear Helene,
It is with great sadness that I learned of Bruce's passing. I will always remember his wonderful smile. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Teresa Rupani-Nagel
October 11, 2008
To the DalCanton Family,
Remembering fondly the science teacher Bruce DalCanton who instilled a love of learning in all of us at Union High School, long will your memory and good teaching remain with us all the days of our lives. We were so proud of you when you made the big league and celebrated your coaching career as well. You inspired us and those who followed you, may God bless you always and your loved ones with His peace and comfort-your goodness shines on in those who were blessed to know you!
Mike O'Toole
October 10, 2008
The game of baseball has lost a great pitching coach and an even better human being. Having rooted for the Pirates in the 1960s, I was very familiar with Bruce when he came to Richmond in 1986 as the pitching coach. It was the beginning of a great friendship which would continue even when he was working with Myrtle Beach. To paraphrase the Irish Blessing, may the good Lord hold Bruce in the palm of His hand. Helene, you and Bruce's families will be in our thoughts and prayers as you endure the loss of one of the best.
al & joan Garner
October 10, 2008
Helene, Joan and Al and the Garner Family are sorry to hear of your loss.
You and Bruce will be in our Prayers!
October 10, 2008
Bruce was affectionately called "Coach" by those of us who had the privilege of working with him for such a long time.
I often told Bruce that if you were to look up the word "coach" in the dictionary you would find a picture of him there.
He was a consummate professional both on the field and off. A classic example of a true baseball dinosaur. They are sadly few and far between and slowly becoming extinct.
The ultimate compliment that you would often hear in the clubhouse from players and coaches alike was simply: "He was the best".
I will miss you Bruce. God has added another great coach to his team.
Your friend,
Paul Runge-Atlanta Braves
Rose Pencosky
October 10, 2008
Dear Helene, I am so sorry for your lose. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Janice (Rupani) Walnoha
October 10, 2008
May God bless the DalCanton family & may you take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
I will never forget the interest in learning that Mr. DalCanton was capable of stirring up in his students at Burgettstown High School. He was truly a great teacher and wonderful person. May God bless you all through this most difficult time.
LaDonna Evans
October 10, 2008
To Helene & the Dal Canton Family -
I was so sorry to hear about Bruce. What a wonderful person. My memories always register you both with your loving smiles to all when spring training would finally roll around. Darrell always enjoyed & respected Bruce in their work and their play. Baseball is such an exciting career .... he will be missed by so many people. God bless you all.
michele johnson
October 10, 2008
I walked down the isle with Bruce at my Mother and Brian's wedding. He was a wonderful man and so proud of his younger brother. I was blessed to have spent that whole weekend, in California, with the entire DalCanton family. I will never forget it. My deepest sympathies.
we love you-
Don,Michele,and Elise
Dick Colpaert
October 10, 2008
My deepest sympathies to Helen and the DalCanton families. I was a teammate of Bruce's early in his career with the Pirate Organization. He was an outstanding person and a good man.
David Riles
October 10, 2008
To Helene, Shirley and I want to let you know that you are in our prayers and we are so sorry for your loss. We have fond memories of our friendship with you and your wonderful news about Bruce and his baseball career. Over time you have always been in our thoughts and will continue to be in our hearts. God be with you always.
Janice Dal Canton
October 10, 2008
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Ray Allen
October 10, 2008
Kindest regards to the Dal Canton family and so many old friends. I have fond memories of Bruce's days with the Bucs when baseball was different and naive as we were we took the Gunner's broadcasts for granted too often. Times have changed. The guy from California, PA will always be a very special memory.
John McCollister
October 10, 2008
To Helene and the DalCanton Family: The fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates and all of baseball have lost a gentleman and a solid role model. Thank you for sharing him with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike Greer
October 10, 2008
As a season ticket holder for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans since their inception, it was my pleasure and honor to have known DC. I have been in and around baseball almost all my life and have never met a nicer, kinder man. His knowledge of the game and demeanor were rare indeed. I can tell you he will be greatly missed by the Pelican family and the entire Braves organization. All our prayers and condolences are with his family.
CYRIL LUKAS
October 10, 2008
MY DEEPEST SYNPATHIES GO OUT TO THE DELCANTON FAMILY I REMEMBER BRUCE AT OLD FORBES FIELD ONE OF MY FIRST AUTOGRAPHS MAY YOU REST IN ETERNAL PEACE CYRIL LUKAS MONROEVILLE
Bob & Carole Herm
October 9, 2008
Our prayers are with you.
Love Bob and Carole
Brian Stankavich
October 9, 2008
DalCanton Family:
Bruce was one of the subsititute teachers at BHS when i went there and he was a great person and a wonderful role model he will be missed by all. May he rest in peace and eternal rest grant unto him O'Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.
John Fletcher
October 9, 2008
My deepest sympathies to one of my favorite teachers back at Union. I was lucky enough to have both Bruce and Helene as instructors, and have fond memories of both of them. I can also remember trying to catch Bruce's knuckle ball when he was first developing it, not an easy task. God bless.
Jamie DalCanton-DiDiano
October 9, 2008
Dear DalCanton Family
I am a distant cousin of Bruce's. My grandfather was Attilio DalCanton from Monroeville, Pa. I have three boys who are avid players and fans of baseball. They always got to hear about their cousin Bruce. We had the great opportunity of to meeting him two years in a row at the Myrtle Beach Pelicans stadium. When we would visit Myrtle we always made a special trip to see him. He was so kind and special to us. He reminds me and looks so much like my grandfather. I was able to get numerous pictures with Bruce and my
boys. He treated us like we knew him forever. I am so blessed to have met him. His baseball will be with us always. Our sincere sympathy goes out to your and your family. He sure was a special man.
Bert Shaposka
October 9, 2008
I never met Bruce DalCanton in person, but I grew up in California, PA, and saw him pitch for California Area High School and the California American Legion teams. He had talent and I was impressed when the Pittsburgh Pirates signed him. Sincere sympathies to the family.
Bob Leber
October 9, 2008
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. I had know DC since 2002 when I started managing the visiting team clubhouse in Myrtle Beach. What a "Super" guy. He will be missed, but more so, never forgotten
43 DC forever rembered as a friend
Cindy Southern
October 9, 2008
Helene and the rest of the Dal Canton family,words can not express our sorrow in the loss of Bruce..you are in our thoughts and prayers.the kindness the two of you had shown me and my parents when we would go see him during the season were appreciated far more than i think he knew..if there is anthing we can do for you please let us know..Cindy (and parents Jim & Marjorie)
Pat Maropis
October 9, 2008
Dear Helene and Family,
You have our deepest sympathies. Bruce taught my sons at BHS (Sam, Anthony and Chris Maropis), but only as a substitute, I believe. Still, he was one of their favorites because, whatever the intended subject, it became baseball. I saw him last at Dr. Robin Roop's office not too long ago, and he was his usual pleasant, cheerful, smiling self. He will be missed.
P. Maropis
Burgettstown, PA
Mike Dugan
October 9, 2008
Bruce was a class act major league pitcher and a friend to all of us his fans.
Rest in peace.
God bless the DalCanton family at this time and in the days ahead.
Jeff Pollock, Esq.
October 9, 2008
Dear DalCanton Family:
As a lifelong Pirate fan who truly admired Bruce's talent and professionalism in my younger days and had the (unfortunate) opportunity to meet him in person when we both had appointments at HCI only a few months ago, I am truly saddened to have read of his loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.
David Grizzard
October 9, 2008
My condolences go out to all that were touched by his influence, not only on the baseball diamond, but also off the field by John Bruce DalCanton. He was a great man. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet him, but being a Braves fan, and talking to numerous minor-leaguers that knew him, I missed out on a whole lot never getting the chance. My thought and prayers go out to his family, may you know that he is just beyond the vail, and one day you will meet again. God bless!
Marcia Golonka
October 9, 2008
Deepest sympathies.
John Guiddy
October 9, 2008
I am truely saddened for your loss.Mr. DalCanton as he will always be known to me was a great teacher and human being.I will never forget back in 1969 rooting for him at Three Rivers when pitching for the Pirates.he will be sadly missed by all that had the opportunity to meet him,My deepest sympathy to the family.John Guiddy
CHRIS,Boyd & Sharon Cyphers
October 9, 2008
No words can express our loss! Our love & prayers are with you. Bruce will always be with us & missed so much. Love to you,Helene.
Keith Accettulla
October 9, 2008
Just to say God Bless You from a man who was I wide-eyed little leaguer when you pitched for the Pirates. One of my childhood heroes.
Ray, Patty & Hayden Metz
October 9, 2008
To the Dal Canton Family,
Carnegie, Pittsburgh and Myrtle Beach has lost a true freind. Our family would always attend a Pelican's game while at the beach and he always had time to have a brief chat with us.
God bless all of you and may he rest in peace.
Mary Ann Gustafson
October 9, 2008
Dear Helene, I am so sorry for your lose. Although I had not had the pleasure of meeting your husband, I am sure he was a wonderful man and you have many loving and happy memories. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and in the hearts of your entire Jazzercise "family". Sincerely, Mary Ann
Stan Mitchell
October 9, 2008
My Deepest Sympathy goes to Mrs. Bruce DalCanton. Bruce was a great man and will be missed. He loved what he did and you could tell. I will never forget Bruce.
Sheila
October 9, 2008
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
larry gorman
October 9, 2008
I'm simply a Pirate & baseball fan who remembers Bruce pitching when I was a kid.My condolences to all the DalCantons.
Dennis Mader
October 9, 2008
Helene:
Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Bruce. Bruce was a good friend and taught my wife Becky in school.
You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Dennis Mader (formerly from Slovan) & Becky (Rankin) Mader (formly from Atlasburg)
Brian Dal Canton
October 9, 2008
We will miss you brother.
Love, Irene and Brian
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