Dr. Bennie S. Truax, 88, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully September 6, 2025 at Geneva Hospital in Geneva, New York. Born November 19, 1936 in Wellsville, NY, he was the son of the late Benjamin and Grace (Statham) Truax. He was the loving husband of Gail (Fitzwater) with whom he celebrated 65 years of marriage this past year.

Bennie lived his life surrounded by music and sharing his love for it with everyone he met. He started playing the piano at home with the encouragement of his mother and later was able to play any instrument he picked up. He went on to get his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Mansfield State College, Master of Science in Music Education from Ithaca College and Doctor of Education in Music Education from The Pennsylvania State University.

He spent part of his career teaching instrumental and general music at Wellsboro Area Schools before becoming the Coordinator and Supervisor of their music department. From there he taught at Huntingdon Area Schools while completing his doctorate. He then spent the last 24 years of his career as the Director of Bands at Shippensburg State College/University. He was able to grow the band program, not only in membership numbers, but also in reputation.

In 1977, the Shippensburg Raider Marching Band was chosen as the the only marching band from Pennsylvania to participate in the Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Jimmy Carter. They also had the opportunity to perform at games for the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. He established a culture of student leadership within the marching band, where the students have a direct impact on the events and performances they participate in. This legacy lives on today within the Raider Marching Band. After he retired from Shippensburg, he continued to make music in various community bands and church groups, both playing and conducting.

In addition to the love of his life, Gail, his family gave him endless pride and joy. He is survived by sons Todd (Amy and her daughter Callie) Truax and Timothy (Anita) Truax; granddaughters Chelsea Truax, Kirsten (Todd) Ditzler, and Ashley (Trey) Truax-Davis; great-grandsons Boone Truax and Henry Ditzler; cousin Phyllis Marcus; sister-in-law Margaret “Peggy” Fitzwater; niece Denice (Boyd) Williams; nephew Dennis (Brandi) Fitzwater; great-nephews and great-niece Caleb Fitzwater, Owen Fitzwater and Brynn Williams. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Daniel “Bud” Fitzwater.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on October 29, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the Lake Deaton United Methodist Church located at 6500 Wesleyan Way, Wildwood, FL 34785. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed on the following platforms: YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@LakeDeatonUMC/streams Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LakeDeatonUMC/

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to the Shippensburg University Foundation/Bennie S. Truax Scholarship Fund may be made online at tinyurl.com/TruaxScholarship (select memorial gift) or by check payable to Shippensburg University Foundation/Truax Scholarship, and mailed to 500 Newburg Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257. Or, memorial gifts can be made by check payable to Lake Deaton United Methodist Church, 6500 Wesleyan Way, Wildwood, FL 34785, in care of either the “Sonrise” Respite Program or the Coleman Oaks Thrift Store & Coffee Shop.