Ryan Payne of the Villanova Cross Country and Track andField Alumni Association announced that Jack Pyrah, of Gloucester City, has passed away. Payne said,\”It is with great sadness that we announce today the passing of Jack Pyrah. Please keep his family in your prayers over the next few days. We will provide the funeral arrangements as soon as we receive them.\"

Jack, spent 26 years as Villanova assistant track coach under legendary Villanova coach Jumbo Elliott. And 26 years as Villanova\’s head cross-country coach. 1981.  

Pyrah retired from Villanova in 1991 and is now considered Villanova \”coach emeritus.\” Upon his retirement Villanova presented Jack a unique gift, the offer to accompany the Villanova track or cross-country teams to any meet in the country.

Pyrah was honored on March 4 at the Villanova Syracuse basketball game. Jack , (picture), was inducted into the National Coaches Hall of Fame in December in San Antonio. 

Photo by Jack Heath all stories on Jack Pyrah

 

Viewing on Monday Evening from 6 to 8 pm and Tuesday morning from 9 am to 10:30 am at Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030.

 

Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 am in the church.

 

Interment New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

 

Donations to VCLUB: Jack Pyrah Memorial Fund: c/o Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085-1674 Or Saint Vincent DePaul Society: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Please write in the memo of the check, Jack Pyrah.

Online obituaries may be sent to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of John \”Jack\” Pyrah.

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McCann-Healey Funeral Home

851 Monmouth Street

Gloucester City, NJ 08030
856-456-1142

PLASKET, EDNA R.
On July 18, 2007, at her home in Barrington. Born in Gloucester City, she lived in Barrington for 45 years.
Survived by her husband George, her son, Joseph of AZ, and son George, Jr. of Philadelphia; also survived by seven grandchildren and her sister, Ethel C. Hodson of Wenonah, NJ.
A Memorial Mass will be Saturday, July 21, 2007, at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church Barrington at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her name to the National Organization of Rare Diseases, 55 Knosia Ave., Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968.

Source Courier Post

WASHINGTON, D.C.

A South Jersey legislator, who in January praised an increased quota for summer flounder, on Thursday said a federal agency now wants to slash the allowed catch.

U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton, R-N.J., demanded an explanation from the National Marine Fisheries Service, saying the change would hurt the recreational-fishing industry along the Jersey Shore.

Saxton said the agency in December proposed a 2008 quota of 19.6 million pounds, but now is projecting a range of 11.6 million to 15.7 million pounds.

\”How is it possible for the scientific recommendation to change so significantly in seven months?\” asked Saxton. \”These are not good numbers, and they threaten our fishing industry.\”

Category: Obituaries

John \”Jack\” D. Pyrah (photo) died on July 19, 2007 at the age of 88. A Gloucester City resident, he was cared for in his home by his loving wife of 50 years, Regina M. (nee Gorman). Loving father of Jack Pyrah of Belmar, William Van Tassel (late Venise) of Turner, Maine, John Van Tassel (Sue) of Richmond, Virginia and Patricia Johnson (James) of Haddonfield. Devoted grandfather of 9 and great-grandfather of 2. Survived by many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Pyrah was born in Germantown, PA, on August 11, 1918 to John and Jane Pyrah. He graduated from Germantown High School in 1937. He began a lifelong interest in Track and Field in 1934 after being taken to the Penn Relay Carnival by a favorite uncle. After falling in love with the aura surrounding the Relays he nurtured that interest in Track and Field. He received his first coaching/managing position with the Shanahan Catholic Club in 1942. He began his 26 year career as Assistant Track and Field Coach and Head Cross Country Coach at Villanova University in 1966.

Pyrah\’s association with Villanova lasted until his death though his formal retirement occurred in 1991. He helped lead Villanova to 4 NCAA Championships and 8 IC4A Championships. During his tenure there, the track and field team developed many world-class athletes including 17 Olympians.

Pyrah\’s accolades include his recent admission into the U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the placement of his name on the Wall of Fame at Villanova University, and the naming of the Jack Pyrah Invitational Indoor Meet at the University.

Jack and his wife, Regina, recently celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary.

Relatives, friends, Villanova University and members of the Track and Field Community are kindly invited to attend his viewing on Monday Evening from 6 to 8 pm and Tuesday morning from 9 am to 10:30 am at Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 am in the church.

Interment New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. There will be no viewing at the funeral home.

Memorial Donations in Jack\’s memory to the VCLUB: Jack Pyrah Memorial Fund: c/o Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085-1674 or Saint Vincent DePaul Society: c/o Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through the funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com

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By Bruce Darrow

On Thursday evening the Gloucester City 11 year old All-Stars traveled to Blackwood to play neighboring Audubon and lost 8-6 in a District 14 Semi-Final game. Gloucester\’s pitcher Chris Walmsley was given the duty to carry this team to the next round against the other Semi-Final winner Erial. Gloucester took a one run lead in the first and then through the next four innings matched Audubon run for run.

In the fifth inning Gloucester\’s Ryan Zeigler entered to pitch in relief of Walmsley. Trailing 5-4, Zeigler worked a scoreless fifth inning and went to the mound in the sixth still down one run. Audubon in the sixth plated two runs after several Gloucester defensive miscues, when a line drive bounced off the glove of diving second baseman James Burkhardt and into rightfield Audubon scored two more to entered the last of the sixth with an 8 to 4 lead.

In the bottom half the locals battled back. After Zeigler reached base Billy Simila lined a single to right sending Zeigler to third. A bunt by Mario Russo and an attempt by Zeigler to score from third was stopped when Zeigler was tagged out trying to score. Still with one out and two runners on Gloucester\’s Ben Boyer singled up the middle scoring Simila and Russo and closing the gap to 8-6. Up to the plate was Burkhadt who hammered another one out single putting the tying runners on second and third. But the rally ended after consecutive strike outs and Audubon advanced to the finals on Saturday evening 7:00 pm at Mt. Ephriam.