Anthony R. Dadamio

Anthony "Tinny" Raymond DaDamio, 88, passed away on May 28, 2015, in Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon, PA.

Born in Birdsboro, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Elizabeth R. (Dininni) DaDamio. He was the husband of Margery A. (Krengel) DaDamio. They recently celebrated their 63rd Wedding Anniversary on April 26, 2015.

Anthony was a 1945 graduate of Birdsboro High School. While serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, he was selected to compete with the U.S. Army Track Team. After receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he then pursued his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1951.

Upon graduation, he accepted a commission in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in Minneapolis, he met and married the love of his life. He earned a master's degree in 1953 from Penn State University. He was a health and physical education teacher and coach at Wilson High School before retiring in 1992. He held similar positions at Lansdale Catholic High School, Exeter High School, Cathedral High School (Minnesota) and Pottstown High School. Representing Birdsboro High School, Anthony was a star athlete, and a three time P.I.A.A. State Champion in track and field and a two time P.I.A.A. State Champion in cross country. In 1943, he was awarded the Berks County Officials Association Best Athlete of the Year. He was the Middle Atlantic AAU Mile Champion in 1944. Anthony was a varsity letter winner for track and field and cross country at the University of Notre Dame. More recently, he was the coach of the Holy Name Cross Country team that won the P.C.I.A.A. State Championship in 1972. While at Wilson, he coached and mentored two Pennsylvania State Track Champions, Scott Hagy and Greg Fredericks. In his final high school track career in 1945, he broke records in the half mile in Berks County, District III, and PIAA Track and Field Championships. Anthony set the half mile record in the 1945 Berks County Track & Field Championship, which stood for 25 years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children: Rev. Paul A. DaDamio, Reading; John R., husband of Lynn DaDamio, Bloomfield Village, Michigan; Debra A., wife of Terry Wagaman, Spring Township; Rita M., wife of Trey Jackson, Lebanon; Catharine L., wife of Anthony O. Bruno, South Heidelberg Township; Captain Rebecca R. DaDamio, U.S. Navy (Retired), West Lawn.

Also surviving are 13 grandchildren: Sarah Kerins, Laura Furman, Lauren Jackson, Jonathan Jackson, Michael Bruno, Stacey Berger, Katelyn Bruno, Jessica Bruno, Vincent Bruno, Alena DaDamio, Rachel DaDamio, Matthew DaDamio, Audrey DaDamio; and nine great-grandchildren: sister, Florence J. (DaDamio) , widow of Frances J. McMahon and sister-in-law, Doris L. (Krengel), widow of George O. Erickson.

He was predeceased by one infant child and four infant grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius Loyola R. C. Church, 2810 St. Albans Dr., Whitfeld, PA 19608. Burial will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Birdsboro. Friends may call Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Ignatius R.C. Church at the above address or The Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.