William "Coach Abe" Abraham

ABRAHAM
WILLIAM "COACH ABE"
Age 79, of Greensburg, PA, on Friday, December 08, 2006 in Westmoreland Regional Hospital. He was born July 5, 1927 in Jeannette, PA a son of Esber and Martha Abraham. He was a retired American History Teacher in the Hempfield Area School District. Coach William "Bill" Abraham, who is also known as "Coach Abe," is a 1945 graduate of Jeannette High School, where he was named to the All-State and All-WPIAL football teams. As a Navy V-12 student, he was the leading scorer at Auburn University in 1945. "Bill" was a stand-out running back at the University of Pittsburgh and was named to the first team All-State, first team All-East and Honorable Mention All-American in 1946. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Education in 1951. After successful coaching experiences at Wilmerding, Ford City and Steubenville, Coach Abe returned home to build the athletic program at Hempfield Area as athletic director and head football coach, where he compiled a record of 140 wins over 30 years while coaching the Spartan's. Coach "Bill" was a Coach for the Pennsylvania "Big 33" Football Classic an unprecedented four times. In 1995, he was inducted into the PA Football Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2005 Coach Abe was honored by having the Hempfield Area Football Field named: William "Coach Abe" Abraham Field at Spartan Stadium. "Coach Abe" has served as a member of the Westmoreland County Scholar-Athletic Banquet Committee since its inception in 1959. He was founder of the Westmoreland Athletic Club. He has served as the initial Executive Director of the Westmoreland County Community College Educational Foundation. "Coach Abe" was also on WCNS Radio, Latrobe, as a color analyst for high school football games. "Coach Abe" and his wife of 53+ years, Ginnye, have been partners in education and athletics, as Ginnye was a school teacher and founder of the Hempfield Area Football Mother's Club. He was a member of the Masons - Jeannette Lodge No. 750, Jeannette American Legion No. 244, Jeannette Class of '45 Reunion Committee, the First Presbyterian Church, Greensburg where he was a Deacon and Elder. He was a WWII Navy Veteran. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by four brothers, Sam Abraham, Sal Jage, Roger Abraham and James Abraham. Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Virginia Abraham; a daughter, Marnie Abraham Russell and husband Ronald of Lincoln Heights; a son Dr. William T. Abraham and wife Joanne of Columbus, OH; three grandchildren, James, Jennifer and Joseph Abraham; a step-granddaughter, Marie-Claire Russell; a sister Genevieve Eannace of Chicago, IL; several nieces and nephews; and hundreds of former football players, athletes and students. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of William in the CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME, INC. 409 W. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, (724) 837-0020 Sunday and Monday from 4-8 p.m. Funeral Service in the First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO THE CHURCH. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Greensburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church 300 South Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601, the WCCC Educational Foundation 400 Armbrust Road, Youngwood, PA 15697, Coach William "Bill" Abraham Memorial Heart Fund, c/o The Ohio State University Foundation, 110 V DHLRI, 473 West 12th Ave. Columbus, OH 43210-1252 or to a charity of one's choice. For on-line obituaries and directions, please visit us at:
www.pantalone.com
Natale N. Pantalone, Supervisor
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