George “Fritz” Halfacre

George “Fritz” Halfacre, 88, died Sept. 27, 2015. Born in Palmerton, he was a son of George and Ethel (Wood) Halfacre. He was the husband of “Rene” Vlossak for 67 years.

He graduated from Tabor Academy of Marion, Mass., where he earned varsity letters four sports; was captain of the basketball and baseball teams; was the senior class president; and received the Fred Thompson Award for general excellence in sports, skill and team spirit. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Lehigh University.

He was an aviation radio man in the U.S. Navy and was in World War II. He was in the U.S. Navy reserve for eight years.

He was a semi-pro athlete for two years in a league in New Jersey.

He was a teacher, coach and mentor for 58 years, and began his coaching career at Hellertown H.S. (now Saucon Valley). He coached football, basketball, baseball, swimming and track at Lehigh University, Moravian College and numerous high schools including William Allen and Emmaus, and several New Jersey schools. He was an assistant coach at many schools. He was coach of the year for four years. A charter member of the Saucon Valley Hall of Fame, he was inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame-.L.V. chapter, Pennsylvania Hall of Fame- Carbon County chapter and the McDonald’s All Star Football Game Hall of Fame. of Washington, N.J.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Linda and her husband Craig Medei of Lower Saucon, Sandra and her husband Frank Haas of St. Thomas, Roxanne Michels and fiancé Gene Legath of Emmaus, and Thomas and his wife Donna Halfacre of Coatesville; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by two siblings, Robert Halfacre and Patricia Bischoff.

Contributions may be made to Moravian College, designated for the Halfacre scholarship fund, and mailed to Lisa Brand, Moravian College, 1200 Main St., Bethlehem, PA 18018; or online at https:/secure.moravian.edu/dev/contribution.asp.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Hellertown.