Michael R. Rissell Sr.

Michael R. Rissell, Sr., 79, of Thorndale, PA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 21 at his home surrounded by his family.

Born in 1946 to the late John Cyrus, Sr. and Ann Veronica Rissell, Mike attended Coatesville Catholic School for 8 years and graduated in 1964 from Scott High School, as a member of the Honor Society. Mike was a two-year starter on the offensive and defensive line for his high school football team. As a senior, he was named to the first team of the Ches-Mont Coaches All League Team as both an offensive and defensive lineman. The Daily Local News selected him as first team All-County as an offensive tackle. He was awarded the Abner C. Winkles Memorial Prize for sportsmanship and also won the Edgar S. Garman Memorial Prize for outstanding ability in athletics and scholarship. Mike also earned two Varsity letters in both wrestling and track while at Coatesville. His career record was 14 and 6 in wrestling and in his senior year he finished second in the javelin at the Ches-Mont Championships. Mike was awarded a scholarship by the University of Buffalo and started every game as a junior and senior on the offensive line and was named outstanding offensive lineman his senior year. He continued to throw the javelin at the University of Buffalo and earned three varsity letters and was undefeated and set many records. He graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1969. He always had stories to tell about his years in Buffalo, where he made many new friends and created wonderful memories. After graduation, he returned to his hometown.

Mike taught Special Education at the Coatesville School District. While teaching at Coatesville, he coached football, working his way up through the junior high level, then becoming a varsity assistant coach for 12 seasons. Mike was head coach at CASH for the 1984-1985 seasons and retired in 2003 after 34 years of service. After coaching for Coatesville, he was offered an assistant coaching position for the Downingtown School District under head coach John Barr. Football was his passion, and he enjoyed teaching the sport to many young men. Everywhere he went there was always someone saying, "Hi Coach"! Mike beamed with pride that so many of his former students and players remembered him.

In 1988, Mike married Marie Yannetti Morris and together they became a beautiful, blended family with their children, Michael Rissell, Jr., Laurie Morris Falcone and the late Todd Morris. He and Marie enjoyed watching their children play several sports, including Michael's baseball and football games and Todd and Laurie's tennis matches.

Mike's greatest passion in life was his love for his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mike and Marie traveled to several islands and spent many fun-filled summers with their teenage children in Ocean City, Maryland, along with their good friends, Debbie & Zig, Flossy & Harry and Max & Bob and their children.

In 2002, Mike & Marie purchased a mobile home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, which became their home away from home. They spent countless days enjoying the ocean, beach and boardwalk with their granddaughter, Madison, and newfound friends until 2014.

In addition to his wife, Marie, Mike is survived by his son, Michael Rissell, Jr. (Kara) his daughter, Laurie Falcone (Chuck) and his grandchildren Madison Marie Martin (Marlon), Madden James Rissell, Nora Lola Rissell and Fallon Falcone Carr (David); and his great grandchildren Nella, River, Sky, Ripley and Maggie. He is also survived by his sister, Veronica Cazille (Anthony), sister-in-law, Shirley Armentrout (the late Kenny), nieces Desireé Gambino (Vito), Jennifer Zappacosta (Jay); Angela Miller (David) and his nephews John Cyrus Rissell IV (Cindy); David Rissell (Faye); Michael Cazille and Scott Armentrout (Erika); his great nieces, Marcella Gambino, April Rissell, Alexis Miller (wife of Joshua Hostetler), Hailey Miller, Julia Zappacosta, Brooke and Bridget Armentrout and his great nephews, Steven, Kyle, Cody and Mark Rissell, Tyler Cazille, Jackson Miller and Brett Armentrout. Also surviving Mike are many cousins and one of his best friends, Chuck Carroll, who was constant with visits to Mike during his illness.

In addition to his parents, Mike was predeceased by his brother, John Cyrus Rissell, III, his paternal and maternal grandparents, his son, Todd Morris, In-laws, Frank and Jean Yannetti, brother-in-law, Kenny Armentrout, ex-wife Nan, mother of their son, Michael, several aunts, uncles and cousins and one of his best friends, Joe Dazio.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2026 at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 80 S. 17th Avenue, Coatesville. Family and friends will be received from 9:15-10:45 a.m.

Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Downingtown.

Special thanks to our neighbor Steve Cloud for all of his help in our times of need, Dr. William Brown, PCP, and his nurse, Leanna for making house calls for the past several weeks; the Penn Medicine At Home health care team, Holisticare Hospice and Tamara Sellers, Mike's private aide for their special and heartfelt care.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.