Del T. Park, age 88, of Phoenixville, PA, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Born on April 29, 1935, in Portland, OR and later raised in Upper Darby, PA, he was the son of the late Emma (Sheppard) and Adelbert Park.
He was a longtime resident of Berwyn, PA, where he and his wife of 59 years, Beverly, raised their family. A 1953 graduate of Upper Darby High School, Del has held the basketball scoring record of 44 points. He earned a Bachelor Degree in 1957 from Muhlenberg College on a full basketball scholarship, a Master's Degree in Education from Temple University, and a Doctorate from Nova University.
Del coached basketball and taught English at Sharon Hill High School for three years, where he coached his first All-American and was named Coach of the Year. He then moved to his alma mater in Upper Darby and coached another All-American player and earned a second Coach of the Year honor. Del continued his coaching career first as an assistant at Columbia University and then as coach at Conestoga High School. Retiring from coaching, he pursued his passion for education at Great Valley High School as Principal, Director of Curriculum, and Assistant Superintendent. Before retiring, Del ultimately returned to the classroom to follow his true love of teaching. His life was centered around coaching, teaching, and family.
Del was an active community member serving as an elder at Wayne Presbyterian Church and as a member and president of the local Rotary Club. For his coaching accomplishments, Del was inducted into the Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame in 2000.
Del is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Durmer Park, three children: Colleen (Brian) Marengo, Heather (John, III) Bolster and Del T. (Jillian) Park, Jr.; eight grandchildren: Megan, Caroline, and Katherine Marengo, Beverly, Johnny and Tommy Bolster, and Campbell and Del Park, III; and sister: Jane (Gary) Blemaster. He was preceded in death by a sister: Marcella Scanlon.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his memorial service on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Wayne Presbyterian Church, 125 E. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne. Officiating will be Rev. Liz Wagner and Rev. Dr. Joseph Modica.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to one of two charities. Online contributions can be made to the Wayne Presbyterian Memorial fund for missionary work at https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/wayne. Alternatively, family and friends can send contributions to the Del Park Memorial Fund for a student/athlete scholarship (Upper Darby High School Athletic Department, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave, Drexel Hill, PA 19026).
Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.