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George F. Tardiff

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Benedictine College Washburn University

George Tardiff Obituary

George F. Tardiff

AGE: 75 • Brick

George F. Tardiff "Coach", Brick, N.J. 75, passed away on Friday, September 21, 2012 at Ocean Medical Center at Brick, after a short illness. Born in Jersey City in 1936, he was a standout football player at Lincoln High School, Jersey City, NJ, St. Benedict's, Atchinson, KS ('59) and for Buffalo Bills Training Camp (60), American Football League. After graduating with his masters degree at St. Benedicts, in 1974, George returned to St. Benedictine College as the head football coach and a Physical Education instructor. In 2003, George was inducted into the St. Benedictine College, Raven Athletic Hall of Fame. His coaching and physical education career included: head football coach at multiple high schools in New Jersey including: East Brunswick, Lakewood, Marlboro, Raritan and at Washburn University, Topeka, KS and worked at St. Mary of the Plains, Dodge City, KS. Coach Tardiff was extremely instrumental in bringing several East Coast students to Benedictine College and dedicated his entire life to coaching, helping others (high school and college students) and his community.

George is survived by his brother, Anthony Tardiff, sister in law Mary Ann Tardiff and is predeceased by his sister, Jean MacCombine. There are three nieces and nephews, Jennifer Cobb, Matt Tardiff and Greg Tardiff and adored great nephews Nicholas and Michael Tardiff.

Visitation for George will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012 at Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, 2482 Church Rd. Toms River, NJ www.silvertonmemorial and a private burial. In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Donation can be made to Benedictine College www.benedictine.edu, Attn: James Kew. Office of Advancement, Benedictine College,1020 North Second Street, Atchison, KS 66002-1499.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Asbury Park Press on Sep. 23, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for George Tardiff

30 Entries

Matthew Semenza

September 17, 2024

Coach Tardiff is gone but not forgotten. He did so many great things at Raritan High School and helped a lot of young people. He traveled all the way to Memphis Tennessee to watch my bowl game. Not many high school coaches would do that. Many of us appreciate Coach and will always remember him. Rest in peace Coach.

Joe iBello

October 15, 2012

Joseph (Wilgus) DiBello

Glenn Lawless

October 12, 2012

I played for Coach Tardiff at East Brunswick High School from 1980-1982. He was a tough coach that led us to the state playoffs in 1981. It was one of my greatest memories as a high school kid. He did a good job of keeping a bunch of conceded HS kids in check!! He taught dicipline. I've thought about coach on occasion over the years and just today "googled" him. I was sad to see that he recently passed away. Rest in peace Coach Tardiff. Thank you for the positive impact you had on my life.

Terry Hanson

September 27, 2012

I worked with George in the Athletic Department at Benedictine College. He was a good man. May he rest in peace.

Mark Cody

September 27, 2012

Will miss ya coach..you inspired me in so many ways. Great times with football at Raritan as well as directed me to check out a small school in kansas, Benedictine College. Thanks for all the memories

Joni Brophy Colwell

September 27, 2012

I worked briefly in the Benedictine College Advancement Office. It was long enough to learn 'George Tardiff' was a household "word" at the College. I met the Colwell family in early January 2003 and was blessed to become engaged (and eventually married) to Tom Colwell Jr. in early fall 2003. I quickly learned 'Coach Tardiff' aka "Yatzs" was also a beloved household "word" in the Colwell family. (My mother-in-law, Kitty, still has the gag newspaper Coach Tardiff gave my father-in-law hanging in her basement. The headline reads: 'Colwell Earns Masters. Now As Smart As Tardiff." I had the privilege of meeting Coach Tardiff when he came to Benedictine for Homecoming Weekend 2003 during which he was inducted into the BC Athletic Hall of Fame.
My condolences to his family which it sounds like he adored and whom adored him! We are praying for the repose of Coach's soul and for the comfort and healing of his family and friends.

Kitty Colwell

September 27, 2012

I could write a book on my old friend *Yatz*! I think my late husband Tom would say George was a "man"s man and a "coaches" coach. He touched so many lives on and off the field but one family he touched the most was the Colwell family. George had a habit of drinking Tom's beer and eating my food but while he was at BC he was turly a member of the Colwell family. He was a great friend and I;m sure Tom met him at the gate. I love you "Yatzie"!!!! May his soul and all the souls rest in peace, Kitty

Tom Colwell, Jr.

September 25, 2012

“Yatz” (sp?) and my dad were buddies from their student days at SBC, and extended that friendship years later by being head coaches together at Benedictine. He was at our home regularly and I was amazed that such a big man could be so gentle with all Dad's children. I will never forget Coach's deep voice, huge laugh and his bringing us salt water taffy from NJ when he'd go home for a summer visit. I wish I could have played under him. My sympathy to Coach's family. Know that you are in my family's thoughts and prayers.

Bill Kelsey

September 25, 2012

Was this the Coach Tardiff who taught at Freehold Boro High School in the mid 1970's?

Matt Fenley

September 25, 2012

As we get older, we all reflect at times about those people that made an impact on us - I mean those other than our parents. Coach was one of those for me. George taught me about the lessons of life, you get out what you put in. Those of us that had the HONOR to play for Coach know what I mean. Life is not easy, nor was playing for Coach. Coach - I still have my soap dish and I put my laundry on a pin every week ... love ya and will miss you

Raritan Rockets

September 25, 2012

We Love You Coach

Joseph Barth

September 24, 2012

Your hard work inspired many young men
to reach for high goals in their lives.
We all are better people for having known you.
Rest in peace..Coach. You did a good job!

Ed schriber

September 24, 2012

George, I'm sorry to hear of your passing and while I have not seen you in so many years I have always appreciated your mentoring when I was a High School Athlete at Point Pleasant Beach High School and the roll you played in my attending William Jewell college In Liberty Missouri.Rest in Peace George .My condolences to your family.

Kathy Garrison

September 24, 2012

To the loved ones of George, may God embrace you in His comforting arms. You are in the thoughts and prayers of George's alma mater, Benedictine College.

Tom Judge

September 24, 2012

A loyal Raven and a friend to so many over the years. I know you have found peace and will be recruiting for Heaven. You were one of a kind.

Jim Chilakos

September 24, 2012

To Coach Tardiff's family- He was a great coach but an even better person. I knew him when he coached in East Brunswick. He not only cared about his players as football players but as "people". My sympathy to the family.

Mike D'Ambrosio

September 23, 2012

Coach, you were an exceptional coach and an even better person. You not only taught me the game of football but also the game of life. You helped make me the person I am today. God bless and my condolences to your family

Jim Connolly

September 23, 2012

George , was a great athlete Coach educator and friend .

I knew him from grammar school ,
His phone calls of recent years were a special treat for me .

He lived his life as a clear window of God's Grace in the world to many of us priviledged to have known him .

My prayer is that George's family enjoy the fullest measure of God's Grace of condolence,

Ken Cunningham

September 23, 2012

Coach Tardiff was as important as any person in my life during those transformative adolescent years. Few days go by that I don't think of him. I'm certainly a better person for having known him. Whenever I hear the word coach there will always be only one person I think of. Rest in peace coach.

michael fagan

September 23, 2012

coach may you rest in peace I played soccer at B. C. majored in phys. ed. COACH WAS A GREAT GUY, HAD THE BEST STORIES, A CREDIT TO HIS PROFESSION AND TO THE WORLD, KIND, FUNNY, GENTLE BUT TOUGH. A REAL MAN, MR. GEORGE TARDIFF WAS A MAN AMONGST MEN. GOD BLESS ALL.

September 23, 2012

Jennifer Cobb

September 23, 2012

Keep praying for us Uncle George

Jennifer Cobb

September 23, 2012

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. I know that he prayed for everyone, each day...and loved us all. My Uncle George aka "Coach" was a wonderful uncle that truly lived to help high school and college kids. I remember going to his Raritan Football games to cheer them on. I loved him with all my heart. I am sure that I am only aware of a fraction of the students whose lives he has impacted....because he never talked about all the good things he had done to help anyone. We will all miss you Uncle George.

Kathi Brandt-Donner

September 23, 2012

George was a wonderful man, always a friend of my family. We seem to have lost so many recently-hope he meets up with my Dad in heaven where they can share some laughs, and plan their next game! My sympathy to his family.

Renee Shrum

September 23, 2012

To the Tardiff Family. I will praying for your strength thru this difficult time. I will always remember George coming into the Attendance office to greet us at RHS. God Bless. Renee Shrum

Melissa Dwyer

September 23, 2012

To the Tardiff family and friends, I send my condolences! He was an amazing Coach and teacher! He has touched many lives and was always there for his students! May you rest in peace. See you on the other side Coach!

Ray Deavitt

September 23, 2012

My deepest condolences to the friends and family of "Coach". Rest in peace...

Matt Semenza

September 23, 2012

To the Tardiff Family- Please accept my condolences. “Coach” Tardiff made a huge impact on many during his time at Raritan High School and throughout his life. He was a tremendous person and coach and will be missed.

Amy Wessells

September 23, 2012

Jennifer & Family, please accept our condolances on the passing of your beloved Uncle George. Praying for strength for your family at this difficult time. God Bless, Amy & Karen

Neil Brandt

September 23, 2012

Coach, your passion for life, football and God will be sorely missed. I am grateful for all you did for me to allow me to go to Benedictine. I'm pretty sure you and Dad are up there jotting down plays on napkins, and Mom is making you a special meal. Rest in Peace Coach, and God Bless you.

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