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TONY DiMIDIO Obituary
Tony was a graduate of Upper Darby High School and West Chester University where he earned a BS and later an M.Ed. in Health and Physical Education. Tony's large size and athletic ability in football earned him the nickname "Biggie" with his college friends and teammates. These physical attributes and quick mental acuity on the field made him an asset for the WCU Golden Rams for his entire college career.
The NFL New York Giants and the AFL Kansas City Chiefs drafted Tony in 1964. He chose the New York Giants; however, an injury in a pre-season game resulted in surgery and intense rehab for a year. He left the New York Giants and went on to play successfully with the Kansas City Chiefs as an Offensive Tackle and Center. Tony played in the first Super Bowl with the Chiefs against the Green Bay Packers.
After football, Tony was a Health and Physical Education teacher in the Philadelphia School District for 30 years where he earned the classifi-cation of Master Teacher. He was also the Head Football Coach for teams in both the Public and Catholic Leagues in the City. He was a mentor to his players and enjoyed developing the potential, talent and confidence of these young men. He finished his coaching career as an assistant to Coach Gamp Pelligrini at Malvern Prep.
Tony and his wife loved travel-ing to Maine, Florida and the Jersey shore. Tony will be remembered for his big heart, his love of family, and his great sense of humor.
Funeral and Interment private.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for TONY DiMIDIO
Glen Galeone
April 30, 2022
As I have said before, Tony was a great influence on my life. He was part of the coaching staff at Drexel during my playing days and I developed a great admiration and respect for him. After playing I became a grad asst. and was fortunate to coach with Tony. When Drexel ended football we went our separate ways but stayed in contact. He is personally responsible for me becoming a coach and a teacher (48 years). I miss him very much and think of him often. Thanks Tony! I love you big guy.
Angel Reyes
January 4, 2020
He was my favorite gym and health education teacher at Olney high school. I will surely miss him
November 25, 2016
11/25/16
Tony was picked by the Giants to replace Andy Robustelli, but got injured and it was at the West Chester Y where I met him rehabbing. We both rehabbed together lifting weights. He was a humble man, a great athlete and role model. I see reading here that he positively affected the lives of those he taught and coached. You couldn't help but respect and admire him.
Jerry Rubbo
jeff davis sr.
October 9, 2014
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MR.TONY DIMIDIO. SAVE A SPOT FOR ME IN HEAVEN JEFF DAVIS THE PLUMBER plumber in 1981during teachers strike season G.W.H.S. very first public football championship appearance due to you and your staff THANK YOU FOR PLAYING A PART in my life plumbing teacher 1 st. year coach. your legacy will remain forever CLASS OF 1983 JEFFREY L.DAVIS SR. [email protected]
Rick Bosurgi
September 4, 2014
I am Tony's cousin in florida and I am sorry I was not informed of his passing. What a great guy.......
August 15, 2014
Sorry to hear this, he was my gym teacher, great one..Betty Wolcheck class 1981
John Zehren
June 22, 2014
I was sad to hear of the passing of Coach Dimidio. Coach Dimidio was my High school football coach. Coach Dimidio inspired me to attend college and major in Special Education. When I was a senior at Roman Catholic High School, I had no idea of what I wanted to do. Coach Dimidio said, "I think you would be a great teacher." His words inspired me to attend East Stroudsburg University. I graduated with a teaching degree. I have been a teacher in Madison, Indiana. This fall I will be starting my 35th year of teaching. I also coached a number of sports, especially high school football. Coach Dimidio, thank you for all you did for me!
John Zehren
Class of '76
Roman Catholic High School
Sharon Klein
May 27, 2014
So sorry we all called him uncle Tony we were his family school...R.I.P. It was nice to know you Thank You Sharon Klein class 82!
David Ashworth
May 16, 2014
I remember Mr DiMidio as my 8th grade gym teacher at Brookhaven Jr High School in 1968. His sheer size commanded every students respect and attention. Mr DiMidio was a very good teacher and person.
May 15, 2014
Coach TD, I enjoyed very down while playing for you at RCHS.....you will be sadly missed, if you were that influential in me in just 3 short years....WOW, a great person has left the earth, yet will never be forgotten.....
Brad Fink '83
May 15, 2014
As his athletic trainer, he always respected and followed my opinion as to my injury assessment and if and how long a player needed to be sidelined. He made me feel like an important part of his team. It was interesting to here his post game comments when he would drive me back to GWHS after an away game. He was a pleasure to work with. I will always remember TD.
Jon Easlick
May 14, 2014
I was very saddened to hear of Coach DiMidio's passing. Although he wasn't my position coach at Drexel, he had a very positive influence on my life. He brought excitement to our program and I always felt he was one of the reasons Drexel was able to compete at that level. He will be sorely missed. God Bless You Coach!
May 13, 2014
Coach Dimidio was a great football coach. He molded our line into City Champs - 1977. As good of a coach as he was -- he was a better man. The lessons he drilled into us were lessons in life that have influenced me since we first met in 1977. He helped boys become men - I know he helped me. RIP Coach,
Judge Pat Dugan, SJP 78
John Salera
May 13, 2014
Although Coach DiMidio was not my specific position coach, He was like EF Hutton, when he spoke everyone paid attention. He was a very well respected coach and person on and off the field. He will be sorely missed by PREP Alumnae and friends plus scores of others. RIP Coach D.
Marty O'Riordan
May 12, 2014
He had a gift for communicating very "effectively" to the players (high volume, close range) and truly maximized the potential of even the motliest crew (each of us learned to reach deeper at times we felt unable). He was a role model for "being in the moment" as he stayed focused on his players for the entire practice. He left the world a better place.
Glen Galeone
May 12, 2014
Coach Dimidio is the reason I am a teacher and a coach today. During my playing career at Drexel I was always inspired by him ( he was a great motivator) and later as a grad assistant became his friend. He brought me to Roman and to Washington to coach with him and got me a teaching job at Roman. I was deeply saddened when I read of his passing. Tony was a great influence on my life and I owe him a great debt. RIP big guy.
Tom Dugan
May 12, 2014
I always loved Football camp with Coach D. When he'd scream at us during drill's, he'd be squeezing a football in his hands - I always expect the ball to just pop. I think anyone who was coached by him knows how much he cared about the players. Just a great person.
Kevin Cattie
May 11, 2014
Coach D was a big influence on my youth. He coached the line for our 1977 City Championship team and was the glue to the best line in Philly. I had the pleasure of knowing him for many years after high school and college at the gym and down the shore. I can still hear his thunderous voice yelling "Cat!" Rest in peace my friend !
May 10, 2014
Mr. DiMidio was my 9th grade Gym teacher at GWHS. I can still recall in 1980 how he kiddingly jumped away from me (I was all of 4' 10" then) after I handed him an excuse note (I was recovering from the chicken pox). He also got a big laugh out of our class when he reminded us not to confuse him with another gym teacher, Mr. DiMileo (who was a bit slighter in size).
Penny
Stacey lLane
May 10, 2014
the best coach in my life
Gene Young
May 9, 2014
Coach TD had a tremendous influence on me, athletically, but more importantly a life lesson! He converted me to a C after my Fr Yr at GWHS! However, school wasn't very important! My Jr yr, he took me aside, had a more Father to Son speech, than a coach speech! As a result, I was on my way to graduate HS on time! As a result of his efforts, and Coach Roulac the following yr (a good friend of Coach TD, who took over for my Sr yr after TD left) I was able to play ball in college, and earn two degrees while doing it! He's been a big influence in other ways too! I used his vast knowledge of line play to mold some young kids in little league ball! To help my son in a HS program that was the abyss! Never had a chance to say Thank You Coach! My sympathies and condolences to the TD family, a genuine, good man will be missed. RIP
Gene GWHS 83
May 8, 2014
Your death was a shock. I just saw you at Lankanau hospital with your moose head pond hat. You will be missed. Harry Feigel.
Aaron Moore
May 8, 2014
Coach D, hearing that you passed away shocked my system. In 1991 you took over our Olney Football team and changed the direction of the program. To this day I coach kids with the same fire! Thank you for being the best coach of all the sports I've played! R.I.P Coach D!!!
May 8, 2014
Coach Dimidio was a great man. He was a tremendous help to me on and off the field. One of those rare people you meet in life that you dont ever forget. My condolence to the family. John T. GWHS 81
May 8, 2014
TONY WAS MY HUSBANDS COUNSIN HE ALSO COACHED MY BROTHER IN FOOTBALL AT ROMAN HIGH SCHOOL HE WAS A GREAT GUY LOVED HIM DEARLY
LUCILLE DIMIDIO
May 7, 2014
BLUE 21 HUT HUT HUT. RIP COACH
JOE LEVIN
Bruce Platt
May 7, 2014
RIP Coach T......A gentle giant and true man
Bruce Platt GWHS Class of
May 7, 2014
In the early '60s i was able to 'lift weights' with Tony in a garage in Drexel Hill. Some people are unforgetable. For a young kid he seemed like a giant.
rick berkes
May 7, 2014
RIP Coach DiMidio
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