Pasquale "Pat" M. Tarquinio

Pasquale (Pat) M. Tarquinio, of Beaver PA, passed on to be with his Lord and Savior on Feb. 27, 2023. Born in Stowe Township, PA., he was the son of the late Luigi (Louis) and Yolanda Tarquinio of McKees Rocks, PA. He was preceded in death by his loving wife and partner of 53 years, Marcy, his sister Elizabeth (Betty) Dines, and brother Ronald Tarquinio. Pat had been a resident of Beaver since 1966. He was a man of great faith and belief and a longtime member of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Beaver.

A 1951 graduate of Stowe High School, where he excelled on the athletic fields, he received a football scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. Following his freshman year, he transferred to Juniata College where he quarterbacked the team to three consecutive undefeated seasons culminating with an appearance in the Tangerine Bowl in 1956. He was a three-time All-State selection. He held numerous passing, rushing, scoring and all-purpose yardage records and was honored as a Little All American in 1955. Pat was also a standout track athlete and was awarded the Central PA Athlete of the Year Award in 1956 and also named to the All-Time Juniata Football Team. Pat was inducted into the inaugural class of the Juniata Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1956. He received his Master’s in Education from Westminster College in 1965.

Pat’s career spanned many decades serving as a teacher, guidance counselor and head football coach with his career starting at Ellwood City from 1956-1965, working with former teammate Chuck Knox, until taking over as head coach in 1959. He served in the Beaver Area School district from 1966-1999 and was the Beaver Bobcat football coach for 34 years, where his teams won 241 games, three WPIAL championships, two WPIAL Runners-up, four WPIAL Semi-Finalists, three WPIAL Quarter Finalists, WPIAL recognition for a perfect 10-0 season in 1968 and twelve Conference titles. At the time of his retirement, he was the winningest coach in WPIAL history with 269 victories.

He then moved on to Hopewell High School, serving as a volunteer assistant head coach from 2000- 2015, primarily working with Head Coach Dave Vestal, making nine playoff appearances, three trips to the WPIAL championship game and winning the WPIAL and PIAA state championships in 2002. He also volunteered at Seneca Valley High School for two seasons, playing in the WPIAL championship in 2016. He finished his career back home at Beaver, where the football field was named in his honor.

Pat had numerous recognitions for his service both as an educator and coach and received multiple Hall of Fame inductions in his career including the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Hall of Fame, Minor Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Robert “Tick” Cloherty Western Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, the WPIAL Hall of Fame and received the Athletes of Action Lifetime Achievement Award. He was selected as the Head Coach of the Big 33 All Star game in 1991.

He will be most remembered as a gentleman who served others with class, dignity and mutual respect. His philosophy of treating his players and students as family was the overriding theme throughout his career. He positively impacted the lives of many students, players, colleagues and friends with his grace and depth of caring toward every person he met. The motto that he established for the school district, “Where tradition dictates a standard of excellence” represents the way that Pat lived his life.

Pat’s family was the true joy in his life. He and his wife Marcy were tremendous examples of love, humility, compassion, and the importance of faith and family. His presence will be greatly missed by those he left behind, especially his family including son, Thomas M. (Susan) Tarquinio, Waleska, GA; two daughters, Tracy L (Jay) Kruisselbrink, Beaver and Terri L (Rich) Wonsettler, Wexford, PA; a brother-in-law, Dr. Braden (Shirley) Speer, Dallas, TX; step mother-in-law, Shirley Rowley, Sewickley, PA; six grandchildren, Gavin (Lindsay) Tarquinio, Atlanta, GA; Luke Tarquinio, Telluride, CO; Katie (Jared) Pestcoe, Fort Worth,TX; Annie Kruisselbrink, Riverview, FL; Julia and Michael Wonsettler, Wexford, PA; and two great grandchildren Kai and Bodhi Tarquinio.

He is also survived by nephews Dr. Bruce (Michelle) Dines, Bernie (Shirley) Dines, Ken (Dawn) Tarquinio, Ted (Kristine) Tarquinio, Dr. Tod (Lori) Speer, Dr. Andy (Ellen) Speer, and nieces Susan (Bardreau) Speer and Sondra Speer.

Friends will be received Saturday, March 4, 5pm-8 pm and Sunday, March 5, 12pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm at the Noll Funeral Home, 333 Third St. Beaver, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial be conducted at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Saints Peter and Paul Church, Beaver on Monday, March 6 at 10am. Private Interment at Beaver Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Beaver County Association for the Blind, 616 Fourth St Beaver Falls PA 15010 or the Quarterback Club Pat Tarquinio Scholarship, Beaver Area School District Education Foundation 1300 Fifth St. Beaver, PA 15009.

The family would like to extend its sincere gratitude to his medical doctors, nurses and aides and the staff of Heritage Valley Beaver, Franciscan Manor and the Advanced Hospice Care team for the exceptional love and care given to Pat. In addition, our heartfelt thanks to the Beaver County Association for the Blind and Faith in Action for their love and care. Our gratitude also extends to the family, friends and colleagues who offered support and prayers for Pat and his family. Your kind deeds will always be remembered.