It is with sadness to share that Ben Denney, owner of Denney Electric Supply, passed away last Tuesday, July 1st, according to contacts in the Philadelphia marketplace.
For those not familiar with Denney Electric Supply, it is an eleven-location distributor in eastern Pennsylvania. The company was a member of TIED, which eventually became IMARK and is now part of AD’s IESD division.
According to a posting on the funeral home website,
“Benjamin H. Denney, Jr., 83, widower of Barbara Denney, of Boyertown, passed away at home on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Born in Philadelphia, Ben was the son of the late Benjamin H. Denney, Sr., and Elizabeth (Broadhead) Denney.
Ben was a 1960 graduate of Cheltenham High School. He went on to become owner of Denney Electric.
Ben was an extremely entrepreneurial person, who grew and expanded the family business with the help of a great team of employees.
He was quick to laugh, enjoyed classical music and great old hymns, loved nature, especially flowers, sunshine and sea. He loved Jesus Christ the Creator of all things. He shared his passions with his children and grandchildren. The children would like to thank all the great caregivers that have been with them through this journey.
Ben will be greatly missed by his family, but we rejoice in knowing that he suffers no more and can walk and sing those old hymns of the faith in the presence of his Savior.
Ben was a member of Valley Forge Baptist Church.
Surviving is his loving family, including one son, Benjamin H. Denney, III, husband of Marilyn, and one daughter, Brenda S. D. Thornton, wife of Stephen. Ben is also survived by six grandchildren: Brittany, wife of Dustin; Blake, husband of Denise; Brodie; Brock; Benjamin, IV.; and David; as well as three great grandchildren: Bria; Darin; and Eva; and one sister-in-law, Carol A. Vanjaarsveld.”
According to a message shared with the Denney team and members of the electrical community in the area,
“It is with a heavy heart that the Denney/Thornton families announce the passing of Ben Denney Jr. on July 1st 2025 after a 15-year battle with Parkinson’s disease,
As many who knew Ben are aware, he was an extremely entrepreneurial person. At the age of 12, he purchased a small greenhouse which he set up in his back yard and used to grow flowers in and sell them in front of his childhood home. When Ben was 27 years old his father developed cancer and passed away suddenly. Ben and his mother were left with a small 3,000 square foot, mom and pop electrical supply house on 5th Street in Philadelphia which Ben had worked in for about 8 years. After his father’s passing, Ben grew and expanded this business by opening first the location in Ambler, then several other locations throughout the state and one on the island of Sint Maarten. Each branch has its own unique story, but in most cases Ben’s model was to move to a new area and open the branch and work in it himself until it got off the ground. Then he would look to find a capable staff and branch manager to continue to build the branch as he focused on his next project. Ben tremendously valued these relationships and would continue to ask after many of these employees by name, on a regular basis, even up until last year. Ben attributed the success of Denney Electric to the people who worked in it and he was deeply grateful for all the time and effort that these people put in, which allowed Denney Electric to grow into what it is today.
With his family, Ben was quick to laugh. He liked to read and to better himself. He enjoyed art and classical music. He loved nature, especially flowers in the spring and the sunshine and the seaside in the summer. He loved the Creator of all these things. Ben shared all of these passions with his children and grandchildren and encouraged them to partake in these things with him. He referenced “How to Win Friends and Influence People” & “Rich Dad Poor Dad” regularly and would give anyone who was interested a copy. When one of his grandchildren was interested in painting, Ben got out the oil and canvas and taught them how to paint. He brought his children and grandchildren to classical music concerts and encouraged all the grandchildren to take piano lessons. If the family took a walk in the springtime, he would point out the flowers and tell the grandchildren what they were called, and he took many beach vacations with his children and grandchildren. The family fondly remembers Ben’s baritone voice loudly singing both little ditties to his grandchildren for a laugh and hymns of Praise to Jesus Christ every Sunday and throughout the week.
Ben will be greatly missed by his family, but we rejoice in knowing that his suffering is no longer and that he once more can confidently walk and loudly sing hymns of praise in the presence of his Savior.”
The Denney & Thornton Families
The family is putting together a website with pictures and remembrances they have and have encouraged others who desire to, to contribute. They can send thoughts and remembrances to Marilyn Denney at Mdenney@denneyelectricsupply.com.
According to Gene Biben, “He treated his people as family and his suppliers and customers as friends.”
May he rest in peace.
Family and friends are invited to a viewing on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 2:30PM to 4PM at Valley Forge Baptist Church 616 S. Trappe Rd., Collegeville, PA 19426. A funeral service will be held at 4PM.
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