Matthew C. Haney

Matthew C. Haney, age 66, 127 Dahl Road, Bloomsburg, and formerly of Benton passed away into peace on Thursday, March 6, 2014 in Danville, surrounded by his loving family, spearheaded by his beautiful and devoted wife, Barbara.

He was born on February 18, 1948 in Abington, Montgomery County, one of thirteen children  of the late James A. and Dolores (Duffy) Haney.  He was a 1966 graduate of William Tennent High School, Warminster. Matt moved his family to Jamison City in 1976 and later settled in the Maple Grove area of Benton in 1980.

A man of many talents, he began his career as a truck driver and then returned to college, graduating from Bloomsburg University with a B.A. degree in art. Following his graduation, he became the head coach of the Bloomsburg University Baseball team,  after cutting his teeth in and around the Benton area coaching baseball, basketball and soccer.

Matt went on to win more games in program history as head coach of the Huskies and led them to their only appearance in the College World Series in 1995.  His next step took him into the contracting world,  from which he recently retired.

Besides his wife and family, Matt’s true passion was his art work and music. He was an accomplished landscape artist, practicing  in oil and pencil.  Matt was in his element  behind a microphone playing his cherished  Strat. Always an individual, he played with five strings and still impressed. He also was an avid blues harp player. Matt made the local cicruit, playing with gusto. He made a lasting impression on those he met, especially the young charges he led at the University. His collegues also reaped the benefit of his vision as he brokered the deal that brought forth the first union dedicated to  the protection of the coaches from the whims of University administrators. Pen and paper do not  suffice in the description of our dear and trusted husband, father, brother, son and friend.

He was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church, Bloomsburg and a member of Christ The King Catholic Church while residing in the Benton area.

Matt is survived by his amazing wife, the former Barbara A. McClain, with whom he celebrated his 46th wedding anniversary on February 17, 2014;  a daughter, Ann Marie Haney, and her companion Howard Albertson, Benton; two sons: Matthew McClain Haney, Lewisburg and Paul Alexander Haney, and his wife Jennifer, Danville. He also leaves behind numerous siblings and their families.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 1 p. m. in St. Columba Catholic Church, 342 Iron St., Bloomsburg, by Monsignor Robert E. Lawrence.. The family will receive friends at the Church from 11 a. m. to 1 p. m.

In lieu of flowers, friends may honor his memory with a contribution to the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Checks should be payable to: Trustees of University of Penna. and sent to: Penn Medicine Development, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg.