Patrick W. Kempsey

Patrick Wallace Kempsey, 92, Ashland, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening at Schuylkill Center, Pottsville surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Easton, he was a son of the late Patrick W. and Anna Volkert Kempsey. He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland.

Pat graduated from Easton High School in 1944. After graduation he enlisted in the Unites States Navy, serving during World War II aboard the USS Pinto in the South Pacific. Pat attended East Stroudsburg State Teacher's College under the GI Bill and earned a degree in Health and Physical Education in 1950. While attending East Stroudsburg, he played baseball.

After college, he worked as the regional sales manager for Swift and Co., in Easton and Pottsville  until 1968.

After leaving his career in sales, he became the Health and Physical Education Teacher and Athletic Director at Cardinal Brennan High School. Pat was a major pillar in the Cardinal Brennan community becoming the first head football coach.He also served as the head baseball coach and led the effort in the development of the sports fields. The fields were later dedicated in his honor, and became known as the Patrick W. Kempsey Sports Complex. He was fondly known as "Skipper."

Pat was a member of the Jerry Wolman Northern Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, John and Robert Kempsey.

Pat is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Edith Ryan Kempsey, Ashland; his five children: Carol, wife of Tom Green, Gordon; Patrice, wife of Lou Rader, Ashland; Patrick and his wife Nellie Kempsey, Catasauqua; Anne, wife of Steve Cook, Palmyra; Robert and his wife Angel Kempsey, Gordon; his 11 grandchildren: Tim and Michael Rader; Libby Gough and Catherine Green; Patrick and Brian Kempsey; Riley, Sean and Emma Cook; Jack and Alli Kempsey; as well as his six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Con-celebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Ashland. Friends may call at the church on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. Interment will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made, in Patrick's name, to the Spartan Games for Students with Special Needs. Please make check payable to the North Schuylkill Activity Fund and mailed to North Schuylkill High School at 15 Academy Lane Ashland, PA 17921.