Joseph McNicholas, 91, of Ridley Park passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 28, 2023.  Joe was a lifelong member of Saint Rose of Lima Church.  Joe was a native of Delaware County, PA where he graduated from Ridley Township High School in 1950.  In addition to lettering for two years in football, he also lettered for three years in basketball and baseball.  He was honored as the Top County Athlete, Student, and Sportsman in 1950 by the Delaware County Times.  His accomplishments in football won him a four-year scholarship to Villanova University where he lettered for three years.  He received national recognition in his junior year as a defensive back when he led the nation in pass interceptions.  Following graduation from college, he spent two years with the U.S. Army in Europe where he played football, basketball, and baseball for the WACOM Rhinos in the Rhine Conference in Germany.

Joe returned to Ridley Township High School in 1958 as a Social Studies teacher, backfield coach, and defensive coordinator for the football team.  In 1963, he was appointed head Basketball Coach at Ridley and held that position for eleven years; he was named Coach of the Year in 1971. Overall, during his tenure as head basketball coach, Joe had a 133-83 record and three league championships.  In 1973, after fifteen years as assistant football coach, Joe assumed the duties of Head Football Coach at Ridley.  Upon his retirement in 1996, his record of 226-28-3, plus 16 central League Championships, made him the most successful coach in Delaware County history.  Also, in that 23-year span, he had six undefeated teams and a 46-0-1 unbeaten streak that ended in 1985.  In 1990 Ridley represented District 1 in the Pennsylvania AAA State Championship playoff.  In his 6th year as Head Football Coach, he was named Football Coach of the Year by the Delaware Country Times, the first winner of both basketball and football "Coach of the Year" awards in Delaware County history.  He was again named Football "Coach of the Year" in 1983.  In 1990 he was named Associated Press Big School Coach of the Year in Pennsylvania. In 2000 he was inducted in the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Hall of Fame.  In 2020 he was recognized as the eighth winningest high school coach in the nation.  He was a devoted husband, father, Pop-Pop, brother, and uncle.  He was a faithful Ridley resident who had a passion for the school and community.  He was a true Ridley Raider through and through.  He was a mentor to countless young students and football players and taught them about grit and determination.

Joe was survived by his loving wife, of 65 years Romayne.  He was the devoted father of Kathy Norek (Mark), Kevin McNicholas (Dina), Laura Harahan (Tom), and Mary Beth Bakey (Joe).  He has nine grandchildren:  Julia, Joe, and Emily Norek, Kylie McNicholas, James and Maggie Harahan, Jack, Elizabeth, and Emma Bakey.  Preceded in death by his brothers Jack and Jim McNicholas.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 6:30 - 8:30 PM at the White-Luttrell Funeral Home, 311 N. Swarthmore Ave., Ridley Park.  Additional visitation is at 9:45AM -10:45AM on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church, 1901 Chester Pike, Eddystone, PA 19022.

A celebration of Life Mass is at 11:00AM on July 6, 2023 at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church, followed by burial is SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joseph McNicholas Ridley High School Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks should be addressed to Ridley High School, 901 Morton Avenue, Folsom, PA 19033.