Donald E. Roddy
Donald E. Roddy, 50, of Uniontown, Pa., died Tuesday, April 16, 2002, at home, with his family and friends, after a two-year battle with colon cancer. He was born in Uniontown, on April 19, 1951, the son of George “Turtle” and Ellen Dersam Roddy.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Robin Acton Roddy, and his stepdaughter, who he cherished and adored, Amy Martin of Columbus, Ohio.
He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Kathy Harrison and her husband, Jimi of Pittsburgh, James “Wizard” Roddy and Patty Roddy, both of Uniontown, and Daniel “Boone” Roddy and his wife, Shirley of Custer, S.D.; his mother-in-law, Joyce Acton and her husband, Herman “Rev” Ostrelich of Brownsville; his father-in-law, Bob Acton and his wife, Bobbi of Manchester, N.H.; and his special grandmother, Jane Walters of Brownsville; nephews, Joshua Harrison and Luke Roddy and Jacob Roddy; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be sadly missed by his beloved dogs, Prissy and Petey. He also leaves behind dozens of wonderful friends, who stood by his side and kept him happy through his long illness.
He was a 1969 graduate of South Union High School, and a 1974 graduate of Penn State University. He was employed for 28 years at Central Greene School District, where he taught physical education. He coached football at various area high schools for more than 25 years, including four years as head football coach at Waynesburg Central High School. He also served as assistant football coach for 13 years at Beth-Center High School under his very good friend and mentor, Don Bartolomucci. Through his coaching career, he also served as an assistant coach at Uniontown Area High School, Laurel Highlands High School and Geibel High School, and worked at summer high school football camps at his beloved alma mater, Penn State, for the coach he revered, Joe Paterno. He was a former head boys track coach and swim team coach and girls track coach at Waynesburg, where he also served as a sponsor of the ski club and as a building representative for the teachers’ union. Throughout his career, he was a role model and mentor for many athletes and students, including numerous student teachers from West Virginia University.
In 1992, he was selected as Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year by the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. He also served on various committees and as an officer of the organization.
An avid golfer, he was a member of the Duck Hollow Golf Club, and prior to the onset of his illness, he enjoyed playing golf in various leagues at Duck Hollow, the Uniontown Country Club and Springdale golf courses. In 1999, he won the Duck Hollow Golf Club Championship in his flight. For four years, he was co-owner of The Caddy-Shack Lounge in Uniontown.
He loved traveling, particularly to his favorite “Happy” Island, Aruba, where he made frequent trips in recent years.
He was a member of Central Christian Church of Uniontown.
Friends will be received in the STEPHEN E. KEZMARKSY III FUNERAL HOME, AT 71 PENNSYLVANIA AVE., Uniontown, today from 3 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday until 11 a.m., the hour of service, with the Rev. Art Mace officiating. Entombment will follow in Mount Macrina mausoleum. Contributions may be made to the Don Roddy Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Kezmarsky Funeral Home, 71 Pennsylvania Ave., Uniontown, PA 15401.