Michael Terrance Bence's Obituary
MICHAEL TERRANCE BENCE passed away after a long illness on March 23, 2025. Mike is survived by his wife, Pamela Bence, and by his two brothers, Parker (PJ) and David.
Michael was born on July 22, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the firstborn son of Mike and Edith Bence. He spent the first twelve years of his life in Pittsburgh, but then moved with his family to Los Angeles County, California, in 1951.
Michael attended Mount Carmel High School in Los Angeles (at that time he was known as Mickey Bence), graduating in 1957. He played on the championship football team in high school. After his military service in the Army, Michael attended Compton Community College.
He soon began employment with Western Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport, and remained employed in the airline industry for the next 40 years. He held various mid-management supervisory positions, from overseeing the luggage ramp operations, to customer relations, and to flight attendant training. When Delta Airlines acquired Western Airlines in 1987, Michael became a Delta supervisor.
During the 1960’s, Mike and his airline friends lived in several Los Angeles County beach communities in various cottages code-named “Boys Town.” Mike’s interest in travel began to blossom during this time.
During the 1970’s, Mike moved to the City of Torrance. During that decade, Mike made his mark by perfecting the “Hustle” on the dance floor. The family often said that Mike “got all the dancing genes in the family.”
Mike inherited from his parents a lifelong love of horse racing. Every July, his birthday was celebrated at Hollywood Park with a large group of friends. When September rolled around, another party was held at the races at the LA County Fair in Pomona. Not that Mike was an expert handicapper. One famous day Mike, accompanied by his father and his two brothers, all randomly selected four horses out of eight entries in the last race. Their selections finished 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. Everyone laughed all the way home.
Michael also loved team sports and held season tickets for the LA Rams for 20 years. He often attended LA Kings hockey games, both home and away.
In 2007, Mike retired from Delta and married Pamela Lindley. The couple moved to San Diego where he was near the Del Mar racetrack. Mike and Pam traveled the world together, visiting many parts of the globe, from Africa to Hawaii. They particularly enjoyed cruises on the high seas.
All who know Mike will miss him.
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