John (Jack) Byrne of West Chester, PA

1945-2017

John (Jack) Byrne passed away March 8, 2017 in West Chester, PA.

Born December 15, 1941 in Philadelphia, Pa. He was the son of the late John and Anna Byrne (nee Collins).

Beloved husband of Marianne (nee Defino) with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Loving father of Victoria McGrogan, Melissa Goodfellow (Steve) and Jack Byrne. Proud “Pop” to Matthew and Colin McGrogan and Gwyneth Goodfellow. Brother to Sheila Byrne. He was preceded in death by his daughter Megan Byrne and son in law Ken McGrogan.

Jack was a 1959 graduate of North Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Pa, where is served as Vice President of his Senior Class. He then went on to play football at West Chester State Teacher’s College where he was a multi-year two way starter for some great teams in the early 1960’s. He received his B.S. in 1964 and later his M.S. also from West Chester University.

More than half a century ago Jack ventured to Chester County from his native Philadelphia largely by happenstance, and never left. Jack then went on to put in more than four decades as a coach and athletic director in West Chester Area School District, by the time he retired for good, Jack had logged 41 years with the district.

“Shug” began teaching and coaching in 1964 at West Chester Henderson High School. A decade later in 1974, he was tabbed as the first head football coach at the newly opened West Chester East High School where he established a successful program. He became athletic director thirteen seasons later at a challenging time when the Ches-Mont league was soon to contract from twelve members down to four in the late 1980’s. Jack was instrumental in establishing the Ches-Mont League as it is known today. During his tenure as the athletic director the Vikings captured four state titles.

He first retired in 2003 but returned three separate times in the ensuing years as the interim athletic director of West Chester East, West Chester Henderson and finally an 18 month stint at, then brand new, West Chester Rustin High School where he developed the new athletic program for the school.

He is a member of the Killinger Hall of Fame, one of the first inductees of the Ches-Mont Hall of Fame and the Chester County Hall of Fame. He also served multiple terms as the president and vice president of the Killinger Foundation Hall of Fame, and the chairman of the West Chester East High School Hall of Fame.

Jack will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, former colleagues and students.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 from 3-9pm at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church St. West Chester, 610-696-1181 www. DellaFH.com

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11am on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the SS Simon & Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Ct. West Chester, PA. Interment Private

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s name to the West Chester University Foundation, PO Box 541, West Chester, PA 19381 Checks made payable to - WCU Foundation with Killinger Foundation in memo.