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

He attended Palmerton High School and graduated from Tabor Academy, Mass., where he earned varsity letters in football, basketball, track and baseball, was captain of the basketball and baseball teams, senior class president and the recipient of the Fred Thompson Award for “General Excellence in Sports, Skill, and Team Spirit.”

He attended Lehigh University for one semester prior to enlisting in the Navy as an aviation radioman (1944-46) and served in World War II. He graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Artis degree in political science in 1950 and later a master’s degree in guidance and counseling in 1957. He participated in football, baseball and track in college and had a two-year stint in a semi-professional league in New Jersey. He remained active in the Navy Reserves from 1946 to 1954.

His career included 58 years as a teacher, coach and mentor. He truly believed in the special bond between coach and player and that everyone had value and potential. He began his coaching career at Hellertown High School (Saucon Valley), starting the football program in 1950 and went undefeated in the league in 1955. He went on to coach football, basketball, baseball, swimming and track at Lehigh University, Moravian College and numerous high schools.

He held head football coaching positions at William Allen, Emmaus, Hunterdon Central, North Hunterdon, and Voorhees High School and was an assistant at many others. Notable achievements during this time included Coach of the Year honors in 1969, 1974, 1975 and 1980.

He was a charter member of the Saucon Valley Hall of Fame and was inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame (L.V. Chapter), Pennsylvania Hall of Fame (Carbon County Chapter), North Hunterdon High School Hall of Fame, McDonald’s All Star Football Game Hall of Fame, Voorhees High School Hall of Fame, among other honors and awards.

His life exemplified his philosophy of respect, pride and a strong work ethic and he committed himself to being the best possible husband, father, coach, mentor and motivator.

He is survived by his wife; children, Linda and her husband Craig Medei, of Lower Saucon, Sandra and her husband Frank Haas, of St. Thomas, Roxanne Michels and her fiance Gene Legath, of Emmaus, and Thomas and his wife Donna, of Coatesville; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by siblings, Robert and Patricia Bischoff.

Contributions may be made to Moravian College in support of the Fritz Halfacre scholarship fund c/o of Lisa Brand, Moravian College, 1200 Main St., Bethlehem, 18018 or online at http://ssecure.moravian.edu/dev/contribution.asp. Please note in the donation box “Halfacre Scholarship Fund.”

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