Contributions to the tribute of Arthur I. McNally

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Joseph Faust uploaded photo(s)

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Coach Mac made his final team at Central High a memorable experience for us. May he rest comfortably in peace. Joe Faust (226)

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John McNally posted a condolence

Monday, January 9, 2023

I was very fond of Uncle Art. I remember Bop taking me to Central-Northeast on Thanksgiving so he could watch his son coaching. I remember watching him referee basketball at the Palestra. No one ever got away with anything and there was no doubt about who was in charge. Just as there was no doubt but that he was a marine, solid as a rock and totally reliable. I remember working with him on John McCarthy's 3-2 zone and how avid he was to use it to enhance his players performance. And I remember family gatherings, listening to him talk football with my father and addressing all his questions.

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Thomas DeRogatis uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, January 7, 2023

My cheerful mood surrounding the new year was dampened upon learning that Art McNally passed away on the first day of 2023. I was fortunate and grateful to have had Mr. Mac —as he was affectionately known— as part of my formative years at Philadelphia’s Central High School. He was one of my PE teachers, my cadet (9th grade) baseball coach, one of my varsity football coaches, and my varsity basketball coach. He experienced an extraordinary life as a mentor and role model to many; a husband and father; a WW II marine corporal; a public school teacher and coach; a professional football referee; the head of officiating for the NFL; and the first and only official to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was revered as the “Father of Modern-Day Officiating” and considered the “father of instant replay.” He was special! The photo is much less about him congratulating me on a long touchdown run, but more about how I could improve my performance going forward. Always the educator! A giant! The world is a sadder place than it was on the last day of 2022, but heaven is rejoicing. RIP Mr. Mac.

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Joseph Faust posted a condolence

Friday, January 6, 2023

Joseph Faust Arlington, Texas Art McNally was my basketball coach at Philadelphia's Central High School 1965-67; our group was his last team before he moved on to the National Football League full-time. We were very talented and had high expectations, however, injuries prevented our unit from reaching our full potential. Central was and remains a strong academic school. I was an absolutely horrible academic student and through the remediation of multiple summer schools and Temple Prep, I was able to graduate. I still had a love of basketball and received a scholarship to a small, private school in North Carolina. I contacted Coach McNally and asked him to write a letter of reference. Within weeks of that letter I was accepted to college, ultimately graduating with honors and going on to a successful professional career. Among the highlights of that career was representing my company at the time, Miller Brewing Company, in sports marketing. I head a group that met with the NFL at a meeting in their New York corporate offices. Coach McNally came into the room, we embraced, and I had a chance to tell him 20 years later the impact he had on my life and subsequently my family. He commanded respect at every level of his life and transmitted that to those who came in contact with him. He was a compassionate leader, innovator, and role model. May he rest comfortably in peace.

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Paul Lewis posted a condolence

Friday, January 6, 2023

I was so sad to hear of Mr. McNally's passing. I was a student of his at Central in the early to mid 60s and had the privilege of being coached by "Mr. Mac" in both baseball and football. Of all the teachers and coaches I had at Central, Mr. Mac was the one I respected and looked up to the most and the one I did not ever want to disappoint. A big part of the reason was that he so genuinely cared about all of us. For me personally, he most vividly demonstrated this when he visited me in the hospital after I suffered an injury playing football. He came directly to the hospital from the airport after his redeye from CA landed - he had officiated an NFL game in SF the previous day. What struck me most was that he wasn't even my coach that year. May he rest in eternal peace and his memory be a blessing to all who he touched in life.

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Thomas DeRogatis Posted Jan 7, 2023 at 5:58 PM

Beautiful tribute, Paul. He did genuinely care about all of us. An extraordinary man.

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The family of Arthur I. McNally uploaded a photo

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Arthur I. "Art" McNally

1925 - 2023

Visitation at Main Service

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