Benjamin Firth

Benjamin grew up in the Lander area and was a member of Lander United Methodist Church. He graduated from San Francisco State College and served in the US Air Force for 20 years where he was a pilot serving during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Major. He also was a corporate pilot for many years. He was an All American in Fencing at Fenn College in Cleveland, Ohio ( now Cleveland State College) which later led to his training for the Olympic team in 1956 in pentathlon.

Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Cecile (Hanks) Firth whom he married in Plainview, TX; 1 daughter, Nancy (Terry) Firth Raines of Midlothian, VA; 1 granddaughter, Allyson (Wes) Raines Anderson of Leesburg, VA; 1 sister, Susie Zimmerman of Warren, PA; 1 brother, Tom (Karen) Firth of Lander, PA; 1 niece, Julie; 2 nephews, Ben and Jonathan; and several cousins.

Friends will be received Wednesday from noon to 2 pm at the Sugar Grove Branch of McKinney Funeral Homes, 117 Main Street, where a funeral and committal service will follow at 2 pm with Rev. Terry Raines, officiating and assisted by Julie Firth Thomas. Burial will be in Foster Cemetery in Lander and will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to the Lander United Methodist Church. Family and friends may send condolences at www.mckinneyfuneral.com