Frank J. Brown died peacefully at home on Sept. 14, 2012, age 73 in Garnet Valley, formerly of Springfield and Ridley Park.
Beloved husband of Betty (nee Miller).
He taught Physical Education and Science in the Ridley School District for 33 years starting at Ridley Park High School and then Ridley South Junior High and Ridley High School.
He coached many sports including 9th grade football, 7th grade baseball and high school lacrosse.He was a longtime swim coach, Strath Haven H.S. Boys for over 20 years with back-to-back AA State Champions in 1994 and 1995.
Over 30 years manager and swim coach at Springfield Swim Club (Summer DelCo League "A" Division Champs for many years) also coached at the Community "Y" in Lansdowne and the Eyre Drive "Y" in Chester & Wallingford Swarthmore SEADEVILS, he was named National Federation Scholastic Coaches Assn.Boys Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year in 1996.
His swimmers will remember him for playing Tina Turner music to prepare for meets and loudly yelling "Cheese and Crackers" when they made a mistake. He would want to be thought of as a coach who cared about all of his swimmers or players, not just focusing on the stars.
He was a member of Covenant UM Church, where he served as Usher and Lay Leader.
He loved his daughter, step-daughters and their families especially his six grandchildren.He enjoyed spending time in Avalon, N.J., especially breakfast at the Fishin' Pier.
He overcame many health obstacles, but rarely complained.
Mr. Brown is survived by his wife Betty (nee Miller) whom he married in 1983.
He is also survived by his step-daughters Donna (Lee) Woulfe of Lansdale, Karen Rita of Elkton, MD, and Amy (Joe) Leary of Newark, DE, also survived by his sister Pat Iannarelli and brother Ken Brown, and his grandchildren Caitlin and Molly Dennett, Jeffrey and Lilly Woulfe, Bobby Dan Leary.He was predeceased by his daughter Kelli Ann Dennett and his former wife Jane (nee Pugh).
Relatives and friends are invited to his calling time on Tuesday eve 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Wednesday morning 9:30-11 a.m. in the Covenant United Methodist Church at 212 W. Springfield Road, Springfield, followed by his Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the Church Memorial Garden.
Memorials may be sent in his name to the Endowment Fund at Covenant UM Church.
Arrangements by the Frank C. Videon Funeral Home, Broomall.
Published in Daily Times on September 16, 2012
