Andrew A. “Al” Black, 88

January 17, 2025

Andrew A. “Al” Black, 88, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025, after fighting Alzheimer’s for over 10 years. He was the beloved partner of Marie Starr for over 30 years. He was born in Northfield, NJ and was the son of Andrew and Alice Black. He grew up in Gloucester, NJ. He was a graduate of Gloucester High School and Rowan University (formerly Glassboro University) where he earned his bachelor’s degree plus two Masters. After graduating he started teaching history and coaching football. This was the beginning of a lifetime coaching football (to quote a newspaper article “He’s coached at all levels and succeeded”).

His first head coach job was at Springfield, Montgomery County. He led that team to several championships. During his tenure at Springfield the Philadelphia Inquirer ranked his team #1 in the state and coach of the year in 1967 & 1970. He then went to Coatesville HS where he won numerous championships and was named “Coach of the Year” many times.

From Coatesville he went on to coach at several colleges. He also coached in the National Minor League. He was then invited to coach offense for Team Europe. From there, he coached the London Olympians winning the Brit Bowl, Hamburg, Germany (2005), and Osnabruck, Germany (2007). In addition, he wrote four books on coaching football. He was also inducted into three Hall of Fames (Pennsylvania, Coatesville, and Chester County).

When not coaching he was sailing his boat the “Halftime” on the Chesapeake Bay. Besides sailing the Chesapeake, he and Marie sailed the Caribbean and the Greek Isles. He was a lifetime member of the North East River Yacht Club.

When not involved in coaching and sailing he and Marie enjoyed traveling to multiple countries around the world and vacationing in Cape May, NJ.

He leaves his partner of 35 years, Marie Starr of Lancaster, PA. His beloved daughters, Donna Dearstyne (Peter) Sicklerville, NJ, and Cathy McFadden (Ken) Easton, MD, and extended family Charisse Rudolph (Gene) Cape May, NJ, and Nicole Starr (late Rob) Lancaster, PA; his grandchildren, Amber, Craig, Samantha, Kenny, Kyle and extended grandchildren Jillian and Colby. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren and two sisters, Dianne Wilson (Harry), Ormond Beach, FL, and Linda Frescura (Bob), Hudson, NH.

The family would like to thank the staff at Luther Acres for the care that was provided to Al during his time there.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11AM. Friends may visit from 10-11AM before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Spanish Health Ministry, 205 E. State St, Kennett Square, PA 19348.