Donald A. "Coach" Bennett, Hermitage, formerly of Sharon, passed away peacefully of natural causes at 2 a.m. Tuesday (4-19-16) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 93.

Mr. Bennett was born April 14, 1923, in East Liverpool, Ohio, a son of Walter E. and Sara J. Baxter Bennett.

He graduated in 1941 from East Liverpool High School, where he was a standout basketball player and served as a class officer.

Don earned his bachelor of arts degree from Westminster College where he played basketball and was the captain for the Towering Titans. While at Westminster he joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and became a life member.

He earned his master's degree in education at Westminster with certification in guidance counseling and secondary administration; he did his post-graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh and Slippery Rock University.

Don joined the Air Force Reserve and shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor he was called to duty.

After college he gained employment with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., and played professional basketball for the Goodyear Wingfoots in the National Industrial Basketball League.

In 1948, Don was hired by Sharon City School District and his lifelong journey as a Tiger began. During his tenure he served the school district in many capacities including social studies and history teacher, assistant principal, principal, pupil personnel director, director of personnel, guidance counselor and coach.

Mr. Bennett's career spanned five decades and he coached several Sharon Tiger basketball teams in the 1940s, '50s, '60s and '70s. As a coach he loved all his players. He was the assistant coach for several teams that won section titles, highlighted by the 1957 state championship team.

He always will be remembered as the "Voice of the Tigers."

Mr. Bennett enjoyed presenting Tiger appliques to those who brought positive identification to the school. He was responsible for the first student rights and responsibility policy and was subsequently honored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He was instrumental in helping to improve the curriculum and fostering better student-faculty committee relationships.

On May 15, 2000, the Sharon Board of Education honored Mr. Bennett by renaming their educational services center the Donald A. Bennett Educational Services Center.

Don was known throughout the area for his rendition of Vaughn Monroe's "Racing with the Moon."

He was a member of several organizations including both county and state associations of school retirees, Shenango Valley AARP 3616, life member of Zem Zem Temple of Erie, Northwestern Pennsylvania Shrine Association, Scottish Rite's New Castle Consistory, Legion of Honor, Shenango Lodge 810 Free and Accepted Masons, Sharon Elks Lodge 103, East Liverpool High School Alumni Association, American Legion Post 160, the former Saxon Club, and VFW Post 5286.

In his retirement years he became an avid bocce player. He was a member and past president of the Mercer County Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 1981.

He served as a member and past chairman of the City of Sharon Zoning Board, director of what was then the Buhl-Henderson Library, and 60-year member and liturgist of First United Methodist Church, Sharon.

Don was affectionately known as "Coach" and touched the lives of many people. Coach never had a bad word to say about any of his students and each one was considered to him as his own. He was deeply respected and revered by all those in the athletic arena.

He and his wife Gladys enjoyed many bus trips together in retirement. Don always kept the bus people happy and laughing with his many stories and songs. He later kept the residents of Whispering Oaks entertained with the same charm and personality.

His wife, the former Gladys Mae Sprow, whom he married Oct. 30, 1952, passed away March 27, 2007.

He is survived by his daughter, Dawn Renee Leavesley and her husband Scott, Charlotte, N.C.; and a grandson, Connor.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, Walter Jr., John D. and Melvin Dean Bennett.

In lieu of flowers, his family suggests that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution to please consider the Community Library of the Shenango Valley, 11 N. Sharpsville Ave., Sharon, PA 16146.

Calling hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday (4-24-16) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon, and 10 a.m. to time of service Monday (4-25-16) in First United Methodist Church, 237 W. Silver St., Sharon.

Service: 11 a.m. Monday in the church with the Rev. Terry Shaffer, Pastor Officiating.Interment:  Morefield Cemetery.