Thomas Andrew Benna passed away on April 21 st , 2011, at Villa Maria, just 10 days shy of his 97 th birthday.        Tom was born in Ironwood, MI, April 30, 1914, the oldest of five children born to Andrew and Anna Benna.   After graduating from Luther L. Wright High School in 1932, Tom joined the Civilian Conservation Corps.   In 1938 he moved to Milwaukee, WI, where he met and married Dorothy Agnes Soyka.   They moved to Ironwood in 1944 and celebrated their 50 th wedding anniversary in 1993.      He worked for Moland Bros/Glendenning trucking company for 30 years and after retiring, he drove a school bus for 20+ years for the Hurley School District.   He was a member of and an usher at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, (later Our Lady of Peace), a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a Charter Member of the Eagle Bluff Country Club.      Tom was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Dorothy, his brother, Bern, his sisters, Betty (Conrad) and Ruth (Rosenquist), three brothers-in-law, and a sister-in-law.      He is survived by daughter, Cathy (Mike) Quasius of Grafton, WI, son, Dave (Karen) Benna of Muskego, WI. and son, James Benna.   He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Melinda (Quasius) Caliendo and Daniel Quasius, Kelsey and Emily Benna, his sister, Mary Lou (Donini), and nieces and nephews.      Recalls niece Barbara (Benna) Truax, "Tom always put family and friendship first.   He never met a stranger."      Tom loved to fish – he always said, "That's number one in my book."   You'd find him on a trout stream from May 1 st to the end, regardless of weather, mosquitoes or ticks.   He didn't eat fish – just gave them away like his brother Bern.      Playing golf, or as he called it, "hitting that little white ball around", was another of Tom's favorite pastimes.   He played at Eagle Bluff and at Mellen Golf Course, unless the weather was perfect for fishing.    He enjoyed bowling (he was pretty good, too) and playing cards (he didn't have a poker face).   He and Dorothy liked to go out to eat (he never gained an ounce) and often "lunched" at the Ironwood Senior Center.      Tom loved a good piece of pie, pizza at the Bell Chalet, Rigoni's pasties, Dairy Queen, and Pabst Blue Ribbon.   He loved to eat and he enjoyed cooking and baking.   He once said he'd like to open a restaurant but that would take time away from fishing and golfing so he stayed with his "day job."      Tom cherished his grandchildren. At family gatherings, whether it was sitting around the kitchen table or eating out at a restaurant, he always made sure he had one of them on either side of him, in order to cause as much mischief as possible. When they were little, they sat with him in his favorite chair, although grandpa's TV remote was off limits.   He always made time for family.      When he started driving the school bus for the Hurley School District, it was an important part of his life. After he retired, Tom's "kids" whether they were still kids or all grown up, would come up to him and say,   "It's Tom the bus driver!   Remember me?"   Nine times out of ten, he did.      He made everyone feel special.      The family gives particular thanks to the staff at Sky View and at Villa Maria for their care and kindness.      On Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 10 am, please join the family to share memories of Tom at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Ironwood, MI, with a celebration service at 11:00 am.      In lieu of flowers, because Tom loved kids, the family asks that donations be made to the Stars Progra m, Hurley School District, 5503 W. Range View, Hurley, WI   54534      To view Tom's obituary online, sign his guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.