CHARLOTTE — Deacon Bernard William Wenning Jr. passed away May 16, 2023. He was 87.
The funeral Mass was celebrated May 25, 2023, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
He was born Sept. 4, 1935, and grew up in West Long Branch, N.J., living there until he was 21 years old. He graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1954. He initially worked for William’s Sign Painting in West Long Branch until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1955. He was stationed at Boeing Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., for four years.
He married his bride, Dot, in 1957. In 1963, the family moved to Vienna, Va., where he volunteered with the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and served as its president for several years. He worked for the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller at both Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. In 1978, the family moved to Charlotte when Ben accepted the position of Deputy Chief of the Tower at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. He worked in that capacity until his retirement.
On June 18, 1988, he was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Charlotte at St. Gabriel Church, and it was at that parish that he began his ministry as a deacon. He served in that calling for 22 years.
In 1990, Deacon Wenning was the first deacon assigned to the Airport Chaplaincy at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, serving on the Airport Chaplaincy Board. It was then that he also started to take on diocesan responsibilities. As the ministry of permanent deacons evolved, Deacon Wenning served as assistant director of post ordination affairs, as vicar of the Charlotte region, and as administrator and director of the Permanent Diaconate for the diocese.
At St. Gabriel Parish he taught RCIA classes and worked in the Marriage Encounter Program, along with his many other deaconate duties and responsibilities. Ben truly was a deacon's deacon, a mentor, and a friend to many. He retired in 2007.
He enjoyed camping with his wife and children, vacationing at the beach, and going on cruises.
He loved his church activities and St. Gabriel Parish community. He was artistically gifted and enjoyed framing artwork, woodworking, painting, spending time with his Marriage Encounter friends, and being the president of his neighborhood’s HOA. He was the “designated pot stirrer” each Christmas season, as he helped his wife Dot make homemade fudge. Spending time with Dot and the family brought him the most pleasure.
He was known as “Mr. Wonderful” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a big practical joker and was well known for his hilarious sense of humor and witty responses.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dot Wenning; his five children and their spouses: Michael (Lydia), Cathy, Linda (Doug), Mark (Alisa) and Mary (Jeff); 15 grandchildren and their spouses: Emily, Malena (Daniel), Ben, Matthew (Sarah), Michele (Kirk), Davy, Jessica (Ryan), Kelley, Zack, Tanner, Tori, Jeffrey (Amber), Rachael and Kate; 10 great-grandchildren: Kiley, Emma Grace, Lathan, Paisley, Christian, Bryson, Avery, Ava, Riley and Walker; his brother Joe (Gioconda); his sisters: Barbara Ann (Frank), Louise (Joe) and Millie (Dan); multiple nieces and nephews; and a large community of friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, one sister, three brothers and his grandson, Michael.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health in Wilmington in honor of his grandson Michael, who passed away unexpectedly on March 2, 2023. Michael, who was employed as associate director for the center’s Early Learner Program, was excited about the new space that CPBH had been planning, and the ability to install an outdoor playground for the center’s children. All donations will fund the installation of the new playground, which will be dedicated to Michael. Donations can be made via www.centerforpediatricbehavioralhealth.com or by mail to: Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health, 720 James Dr., Wilmington, N.C. 28403. Donations are non-tax deductible.
Carolina Funeral Service & Cremation Center was in charge of arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald