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John Compardo Obituary

John Compardo Sr. 97, of Nazareth formerly of Bethlehem, passed away on Wednesday January 31, 2018. John was the husband of the late Mary Jane (Altieri) Compardo. Born in Pen Argyl, John was the son of the late Dominic and Rena (Dally) Compardo. He was a member of Notre Dame Catholic Church in Bethlehem. John proudly served his country in the US Navy during WWII. John received his Bachelors Degree from Springfield College in Massachusetts, his Masters from Moravian College and his Doctorate from Lehigh University. He was the Athletic Director of the US Naval Submarine Base in New London, CT from 1948-53. From 1953 through 1965 he taught Physical Education and was the head Basketball coach at Allentown Central Catholic High School. In 1965 he joined the staff of Allentown College (now DeSales University) as the Athletic Director and Director of Physical Education and remained there for 24 years until his retirement in 1989. Surviving is his daughter Darlene Bio of Bethlehem, and his son Darrell and wife Marilu of Nazareth. He has five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his son John Jr. and his four sisters: Hilda, Mary, Esther, and Rena. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday February 5, 2018 at 9:00 am in the Connelly Chapel on the campus of DeSales university. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in John's memory to the DeSales University Compardo Athletic Complex, c/o Institutional Advancement, 2755 Station Ave. Center Valley, PA 18034. Arrangements entrusted to the O'Donnell Funeral Home, Allentown.

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Published by Morning Call from Feb. 2 to Feb. 3, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for John Compardo

Sponsored by O'Donnell Funeral Home, Inc. - Allentown.

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Edward Bendick

October 17, 2021

Thanks John you were like a Father to me and a GOOD friend.

April 16, 2018

Dear Compardo Family:
I played basketball for Coach Compardo 1956- 1960. As I aged, I realized what he had given to his players, me and CCHS. Terrific man.
My God Bless.
Fran Demko MIddletown, VA

Cookie Tatasciore-Lewis

February 8, 2018

Darlene,
I just returned home & heard of your Dad's passing & I wanted to extend my sincere condolences to you & your family. Your father was a shining example of how men should walk this planet! He was admired by everyone who was ever fortunate enough to share his space! You are also so fortunate for the opportunity of having him with you all these years. I lost my Dad when we were 27 & I miss him like it was yesterday. The pain always seems to be there..but the wonderful, loving memories of our parents live on in our hearts forever....& make some of the tougher days a bit easier to handle. I'll keep him & your family forever in my prayers.

Jack Gallagher

February 7, 2018

Darlene,
I am very sorry for your loss.Although you were fortunate to have your Dad around for so long,it makes saying goodbye even harder

Dominick Bet

February 6, 2018

Cousins Darrell and Darlene, and your families.
Your father,my uncle, was an inpirational for all of us. Especially for his sisters, my mother, Hilda, and the rest of his 3 sisters looked up to him. He was always in their hearts and they adored him. We were all so proud of all of his accomplishments and really tried to emulate his success. He truly was our family champion. He will always be thought of kindly and never be forgotten. May God bless you and your families.

Your Cousin Dominick and wife Carmella

Charlie Walter

February 6, 2018

Darlene and Darrell and family.

So sorry to hear of the Coachs's passing.

May your memories of this extraordinary man and his legacy sustain youe in the days and weeks ahead.

He was truly a fine gentleman.

February 4, 2018

Darlene, Darrell & Family,

My deepest condolences for your father's
passing. What a great guy!

Ron Witko,Emmaus,PA

Tommy Zito

February 4, 2018

Coach Compardo was my phys ed instructor at St Francis de Sales and a person we fully respected..rest in peace Coach

Rich Deutsch

February 3, 2018

To the Compardo Family,

Deepest sympathy on the loss of Coach Compardo. He was my basketball coach from 60-64. He was truly a wonderful man.

Robert Williams

February 3, 2018

I know our class as well as others had the most unadulterated RESPECT for the MAN as TEACHER, COACH and role model to all he touched!
He worked so hard during summers hauling concrete sewer pipes and burial vaults.
Our Lord and Savior kept him here on earth for 97 years so as to touch man lives and render them worthy of their creation!
Bob "Rabbit" WILLIAms 58'

Robert Shoemaker

February 3, 2018

Coach Compardo was a wonderful influence on so many lives. I remember like yesterday, Coach taking me to Sacred Heart hospital for X-rays, taping, and crutches and taking me home after a baseball injury. As assistant Baseball coach at Central Catholic, he corrected many bad swings, including mine. God Bless Coach Compardo

Bob Shoemaker - Class of 1958

February 3, 2018

HE WAS A GREAT MAN. i ADMIRED HIM GREATLY AT CCHS. HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO BOX AND I BECAME VERY GOOD AT IT. IN THE US ARMY I NEVER LOST A FIGHT.

MICHAEL A ROMAN

AUTHER OF (ZEHBEL THE CLEVER ONE MAJ. GEN TO THE SHAH OF IRAN)

GRAD OF CCHS 1957

MICHAEL CARROLL

February 3, 2018

As friends of Johns Sr. and Jr. admirers of both men, Helene and Michael Carroll offer their deep condolences and sympathy.

Ange Caggiano

February 3, 2018

Darrel and Family,
Very sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I did not know him well but my memory of him is a very fine gentleman, family man and the coach that started the championship mentality at CCHS. A life well-lived.

Ange Caggiano

rico caggiano

February 3, 2018

Darrell and family:

I was sorry to hear of your father's passing. I was lucky to play for coach one season at CCHS and he made it a special time in my life. He taught me to be respectful both on and off the court and he left a positive impression on a 15 year old. Coach never raised his voice but in a calm and confident manner told us what he expected of us. I think of him often.
Rico Caggiano
Naples FL

February 3, 2018

Darrell and Family:

So sorry to hear of coach's passing. Had the privilege of playing one season for him at CCHS and he demonstrated to me how to treat others with respect both on and off the court. He was a special person in my life at that time.

Rico Caggiano
Naples FL

Andy and Eileen Zampini

February 3, 2018

Darlene and the entire Compardo family,
Two of my favorite quotes of St. Francis De Sales make me think immediately of Coach Compardo: "Be who you are and be that well!" and "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength."
Coach was an inspiration to me and to so many others. He will truly be missed but he will be in our hearts always!

Stephen Constantine

February 3, 2018

Deepest Sympathies to Mr. Compardo's entire family. He was the one who hired my mother's nephew, my cousin, the late Mike Koury, as the JV basketball coach at Allentown Central Catholic in 1961. Mike and Tommy Bubba commuted each day from Easton to Pius X of Pottstown, and John Compardo gave Mike his shot at ACC.

In the 1963-64 season they finished 21-5 and won the PCIAA championship. In the championship game at Muhlenberg, they defeated Pittsburgh Central Catholic 59-57 in double overtime. In their last season together, they won the East Penn League Championship, finishing with a 24-2 mark and lost a hard-fought 64-60 game against Pittsburgh South Hills in the PCIAA championship game.

The rest is history and Mike is in the Ring of Honor at ACC's Rockne Hall....

Rest in Eternal Peace Mr. Compardo and thank you for what you did for Mike 57 years ago....the Lebanese Community in Easton never forgot you...If I didn't have to be in NYC on Monday, I would've paid my respects in person.

They don't make men like him, anymore...

February 3, 2018

Darlene,
I'm so very sorry for the loss of your father. May he rest in God's peace.
Mandy Gallagher

Gunny Svaby

February 3, 2018

To the family, I always used to make John laugh when I would tell him Jazz Diminick & he were the two larger than life coaching icons in Pennsylvania! He touched thousands of lives!

Gunny Svaby

February 3, 2018

To the family,I always used to make John laugh, when I told him Jazz Diminick & he were the two biggest coaching icons in Pennsylvania! He's inspired THOUSANDS of people from all walks of life!

February 2, 2018

Darlene and Darrel,
We are all sad at the passing of Coach. He was a special man and humanitarian who cared deeply for his family and students from DeSales. We are so happy we got to spend more time wuth him in recent years. Our breakfasts and lunches with the guys from the university were special. He will greatly missed.
Santa and Don Wright

Jack, Jim and Deb Booros

February 2, 2018

Darrel and Darlene,
We are so sorry to hear of your
Fathers passing. Coach was a very
special friend. We will keep you in
our prayers.

Tony Ebner

February 2, 2018

Darlene and Darrel- I am so sorry to hear of your Fathers passing. God speed to you Coach- I will never forget you.

Gretchen Hafner McKernan

February 2, 2018

Darlene,

Chip and I are so very sorry for the loss of your Father. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love, Gretchen and Chip McKernan

Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results

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Memorial Events
for John Compardo

Feb

5

Mass of Christian Burial

9:00 a.m.

Connelly Chapel on the campus of DeSales university

PA

Funeral services provided by:

O'Donnell Funeral Home, Inc. - Allentown

908 Hanover Ave, Allentown, PA 18109

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