John Bingham “Bing” Cain

John Bingham “Bing” Cain

On May 19, 2025, John Bingham “Bing” Cain left this earth to be with his Maker.  Bing was 89 years old. Born in Bozeman to Mary Gertrude Waldo and John Burnett Cain on September 23, 1935. He had one younger sister, Betsy “Jane” Cain Brown who proceeded him in death along with Jane’s daughter, Karen Jenkins. 

When Bing was two years old the family moved to his mother’s hometown, Darby. From there the family moved to Warm Springs.  He attended a two-room school house until he was in the sixth grade after which he was bussed to school in Anaconda and graduated from Anaconda High in 1953. 

In 1956, Bing wed Lelah Rae Smollack and together they had three children:  Steve (Sue), Kellee and Janel (P.J.) Dillon. Grandchildren include Josh, Brad, Sydney Cain and Jessica (Clay) Carter and two great grandchildren Charlie Mae and Goldie Pip.  Bing is also survived by his sister Jane’s children Blaine Brown and Laura Higgins.  

Bing wed Kay Puyear and he helped raise her children Joe, Steve and Chris and also enjoyed grandchildren Kayla, Justin, Brianna and Garrett.  

Bing then met Patsy Johnston, a Butte gal.  He always told the story that he had to go to the Anaconda Council of Commissioners to get special dispensation allowing Patsy to move to Anaconda.  Bing and Patsy dated for five years and then wed in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on June 16, 2001.  Bing gained sons:  Mike (Phenoy), Mark (Kathy), Bob (Patty) and Joe (Kory) Johnston and enjoyed grandchildren Tiffany (Mike), Gino (Angela), Ristine (Eric), Markie (Brandy), Cory (Sam), Krystal (Cody), Tyler (Danika), Jake (Maria) Jack, Jayden and17 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by brother-in-law Terry Gavigan and niece Linda (Stan) Williams and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was proceeded in death by Jim and Betty Hollow, Jim and Marlene Smith and Helen Gavigan. 

Bing’s early working years were in the mines for Cominco and at Maiden Rock.  He managed a shop that retreaded the largest tires on earth in Great Falls.  After a short period of time in Helena, he moved his family back to Deer Lodge working for the Milwaukee Railroad as a carman, then as a machinist until its closure.  He then worked as a machinist for the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railroad in Anaconda. Lastly, he was the machinist at Warm Springs until his retirement.  Bing was a proud member of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers.  He held numerous offices throughout his 35 plus years of membership.  He was a very proud Machinist!   A bleeding heart Democrat, he was always true to both the Union and the Party.  He volunteered for numerous functions to better mankind.    

Bing and Patsy enjoyed traveling to Toronto, Victoria BC, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Oregon and numerous trips to Alaska to visit son Steve who was an engineer on the Alaska Railroad (ARR) and treated them as VIPs each and every trip on the ARR.  Bing and Patsy took numerous trips to Las Vegas as he loved playing craps.  They toured the Grand Canyon.  They went on three Caribbean cruises with many friends and had wonderful memories of all trips.  They became snowbirds after retirement going to Arizona and Mexico with friends and family.  He had a great love of travel and was always ready to go anywhere.   

Bing loved to laugh and have a great time!  He truly treasured his friendships.  He had a great love of hunting, especially with his buddies, Dave Collins and Ray Stoll. He bagged 46 elk over his lifetime.  He passed the family tradition to his son, Steve.  They hunted together since Steve was five, both in Montana and Alaska. 

Bing was a great story teller and he loved his colorful diddies, especially after a few beverages.  He was proud to live in Anaconda and had numerous lifelong friends that he played cards with for years; Hank Webking, Walt Immonen and Buster Reilly.  He was a proud Cowboys fan and always said he made lots of money betting on the Cowboys!  He played shuffleboard with his godson Dan Grinolds for many years at the Locker Room.   The only thing he never cared for was being called Santa Claus and always came back with “Bah Humbug” or some other smart remark letting person know not to mention it again! 

Bing cherished all of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was an awesome husband, father, grandfather and friend. 

He was extremely proud of grandsons Josh and Brad’s service as career Air Force Enlisted Officers. 

He loved life until his arthritis took his mobility away from him while enduring pain and suffering with grace each day until his passing. 

A special thanks to the Anaconda Community Hospital including the physical therapy department, the Anaconda Fire Department and his special angels from Hospice: Harold, Molly, Peggy, April, Leah and Amy. His doctor Cindy Reed and her nurse Kayla, his granddaughter, who made numerous house calls to help make Bing’s life a little easier.   

A celebration of life will be held June 14, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Anaconda Hibernian Hall at 321 East Commercial Ave., Anaconda and the celebration will continue afterwards at the Midway Bar at 312 West Commercial Avenue. 

Memorials can be made to the Anaconda Fire Department at 420 East Commercial Ave. and Anaconda Hospice at Pintler Home Hospice, 615 Main St., both in Anaconda, MT 59711. 

Loca Noc!!!