Armand Anthony "Stitch" Vari, 86, of Palm Beach Gardens, passed away Thursday morning, September 25th, in Palm Beach County. Stitch was born March 27, 1928, the youngest child of Louis and Clara Vari, in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1949 he enrolled at the University of Miami and played football. In addition to a stellar career on the gridiron (Orange and Gator Bowl), he made many lifelong friends and met his future wife, Jacqulyn Conway. Stitch and Jacque were married in 1952. Following graduation Stitch served his country as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. In addition to his commissioned duties, Stitch coached both the Squadron football and basketball teams to All-Base championships. In 1955 Stitch returned to Florida as an assistant football coach to teammate and longtime friend Jack McCloskey at the Archbishop Curley High School. Stitch was promoted to Athletic Director and Head Coach at Curley in 1957. In 1958 he was lured back to University of Miami by Coach Andy Gustafson to handle the offensive line duties. Through 1963 Stitch recruited and coached future NFL stars that have remained his friends to this day. Stitch left the coaching profession to raise his family in South Florida and entered the Life and Health Insurance Industry. Stitch continued to give back to his beloved South Metro Miami community as president of his Italian Heritage Organization, the UNICO, and The Optimist Club of Westchester. Stitch was inducted into the University of Miami Hall of Fame in 1977 as a player/coach, and the Archbishop Curley HS Hall of Fame in 2004. He remained active with U of M throughout his life and was tapped into "The Iron Arrow," Miami's highest honorary organization, in 1973. He served on the University Alumni Board, as President of the Hall of Fame, and as Chairman of the Athletic Federation (Hurricane Club). Stitch was preceded in death by Jacque, his wife of almost 61 years, a year ago July. He is survived by his children Armand A. Vari, Jr. (Judy), Marianne Vari Bacon (John), Vincent C. Vari (Tricia), Stephen M. Vari, Peter L. Vari (Anne), Paul R. Vari and Amy Burton; grandchildren Jacquelyn V. North, Kristin V. Dooley, Tony Vari, Katie Bacon Turner, Sallie Bacon Lupis, Mandy Vari, Greg Vari, Charlotte Vari, Griffin Vari, Luke Vari, and Joseph Vari; and great-grandchildren Donny North, Maddelyn North, Collier Dooley, Luisa Lupis, Felix Lupis, and Renzo Lupis. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, especially John, Anne, Matt McCloskey and Julie McCloskey Canei, and Jacque's sister Helen McCloskey. As well as the many high school and college students he taught, coached and mentored over the years. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 30th at the Church of the Little Flower, 1270 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables.
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Coach Vair was a Class act. He took kids and made them men. He is still being missed.
Guy Brickman
School
September 22, 2023
Like all guardian angels, Stitch is always a strong guiding voice in my heart.
The best you can ask for from a great coach.
Al Schrader
School
September 22, 2023
What a wonderful man Stich was! He brought humor and perspective and light and great stories to our huddles during the grind and drudgery of practice. He was one of those coaches who rarely raised his voice, and only then, with love. When he wacked you on the helmet, it was your father whacking you. Great man, great coach, well-loved. Miss you Stitch.
"Little Roter"
Steve Robey,#69, UM class of 72
December 30, 2014
It was a pleasure to play 'life gurad' to Stitch thei past year. We had some memorable chats and I was pleased to get to know him. It was an honor to know him and I want you to know he was so proud of all you 'kids'. I miss his company already.
Blake Valin
October 15, 2014
To all of the Vari Family. I am proud of having the opportunity of knowing the Vari Family through UNICO as well as being a teacher of several of the Vari boys who attended Christopher Columbus High during my few years as a teacher.
Armand and his Mrs. will always be an inspiration to all who were blessed to be part of their long list of friends.
Phil Marraccini
October 4, 2014
From all of the Ed Dunn family, we mourn the loss of "one of our own" and know he will be joining a great crowd in the Hurricane Heavenly Bleachers. God Bless him and the family always.
Linda & David Brown
October 3, 2014
I send my deepest sympathy to my Vari cousins who have lost their dearest father. I will always have him in my heart and remember him as an excellent father, uncle and role model to me and many others. My prayer is that he rests in Eternal Peace with the Lord his Maker and reunites with all our family who have gone on before him. Lovingly, niece, Rhonda Vari
Rhonda Vari
October 1, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time. Christina and I have fond memories of Uncle Armand, he made anyone in his company feel very special. He lit up the room with his smile!
Bonnie & Christina Rydell & Vengilio
October 1, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great man. Sending prayers to the family.
Beth Hartnetts-Murphy
September 30, 2014
Played for Coach Vari in 1963--- Hate that he is gone---- Great guy
Charlie Brown
September 29, 2014
I'm so sorry for your loss, anyone who had the privilege of knowing Stitch knew what great man he was .Thank you for helping my son become a great long snapper and go on to play college football. You were a true friend. God blessed you with the love of your life and a great family. Rest in peace my friend
Joe Rossi
September 29, 2014
Eternal Rest Coach...you always gave it your all!
Vincent McCarthy
September 29, 2014
We never lose the people we love. They live in our hearts the rest of our lives because no one can steal that memory. May you rest in peace. Your favorite secretary. Cary Bosque
September 29, 2014
Armand grew up in Pittsburgh next door to my father-in-law, but both Armand and Jacque became dear friends of my father, Joe Bondi, when they found each other in south Florida in the '90's. So very sorry to hear of his passing, but I'm going to think of them now somewhere doing what they always did - sharing stories of the 'Burgh and talking about Penn State, Miami U, and of course, Steeler football. RIP Armand.
Joanne Bondi-Fazio
September 29, 2014
Stitch always made you feel like a VIP. RIP.
Charlie Atwood
September 29, 2014
Dear Coach,
May you live eternally in the arms of Jesus Christ.
Jim Nock
Jim Nock
September 29, 2014
I met Stitch in 1952 in Chicago in our home, just before he married my cousin Jacque.
The O'Hallaren family loved him. It was always evident through the years, how much he and Jacque loved each other.
Find comfort in the reality that Stitch, your Dad, is in "God's Hands"
Val and Ann Celine O'Hallaren Wydeven
September 28, 2014
Thinking & praying for the entire Vari family during your time of sorrow. May your hearts know peace in the fact your father lived a blessed life. RIP Mr. & Mrs. Vari in eternal life.
Cathy Mainieri Gagnon
September 28, 2014
Stitch was as fine and good a man as I have been blessed to know. The word coach will always bring his face to my mind because he epitomized all of the positive and best that it can be. I know his family will continue to represent all of his qualities, but I will deeply miss my friend, mentor and second father. God Bless you Stitch and thank you for all that you taught me about what life can offer us.
Albert E. , III Schrader
September 28, 2014
Stich was a great man. He will be missed.I am sorry I can`t be there with the class of 56
Peter Iodice
September 28, 2014
Coach: I spoke to you four weeks ago and as usual you wanted to know when will I be back in SouthFlorida?Sorry I will not be there but theentire Zorovich clan will pray for you. May you rest in peace.
September 28, 2014
Stitch was our coach,our teacher and a Father to us. He will be missed.
Guy Brickman
September 28, 2014
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