Patrick W. Kempsey

Patrick Wallace Kempsey, 92, of Ashland, passed away peacefully Sunday evening at Schuylkill Center surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Easton, he was a son of the late Patrick W. and Anna Volkert Kempsey.

He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland.

Pat graduated from Easton High School in 1944. After graduation he enlisted in the Navy having served from 1944 to 1946 during World War II aboard the USS Pinto in the South Pacific. Pat then enrolled in East Stroudsburg State Teacher's College under the GI Bill for his degree in Health and Physical Education in 1950.

While attending East Stroudsburg college, he played baseball.

After college, he worked as the regional sales manager for Swift and Co., in Easton and Pottsville, from 1955 to 1968.

After leaving his career in sales, he became the health and physical education teacher along with being the athletic director at Cardinal Brennan High School. Pat was a major pillar in the Cardinal Brennan community, becoming the first head football coach. He also served as the baseball coach and led the effort in the development of the sports fields. The fields were later dedicated in his honor, and became known as the Patrick W. Kempsey Sports Complex. He was fondly known as "Skipper."

Pat was a member of the Jerry Wolman Northern Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Robert Kempsey.

Pat is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Edith Ryan Kempsey, Ashland; his five children, Carol, wife of Tom Green, Gordon, Patrice, wife of Lou Rader, Ashland, Patrick and his wife, Nellie Kempsey, Catasauqua, Anne, wife of Steve Cook, Palmyra, and Robert and his wife, Angel Kempsey, Gordon; his 11 grandchildren, Tim and Michael Rader, Libby and Catherine Green, Patrick and Brian Kempsey, Riley, Sean and Emma Cook, Jack and Alli Kempsey; his six great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Con-celebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Ashland. Friends may call at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and again from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass Saturday. Interment will be held on Monday at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Patrick's name to the Spartan Games for Students with Special Needs. Please make check payable to the North Schuylkill Activity Fund and mailed to North Schuylkill High School at 15 Academy Lane, Ashland, PA 17921. Sign the guest book, leave personal condolences and for further information, please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com. Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville, is in charge of the arrangements.

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