J.A. DiGregorio Sr., 79, lover of sports

John A. DiGregorio Sr. lettered in baseball and basketball for the Class of 1948 at what is now Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical Education High School.

Though marriage and family responsibilities cut short his dreams of a life in sports, he worked part time in the region for one amateur and minor-league team after another.

It took until he was 40, his son John Jr. said, to fulfill his dream of a full-time career in sports.

Last Thursday, Mr. DiGregorio, 79, equipment manager for the men's athletic teams at Temple University from 1970 to 1994, died of stomach cancer at his home in Ridley Park.

Born in West Philadelphia, Mr. DiGregorio was a lathe operator at the Westinghouse plant in Essington from 1950 to 1970.

At home he had an influence on sports; his son became head basketball coach at Swarthmore College from 1979 to 1984 and at Ridley High School from 1986 to 2000.

Even part time, Mr. DiGregorio had an influence, his son said, as coach of winning teams in the annual Gold Medal basketball tournaments of 1958, 1961, and 1965, sponsored by the Philadelphia Recreation Department.

Among the players he coached in those tournaments, his son said, were Wali Jones, the future Villanova University and Philadelphia 76ers star, and Jim Boyle, the future basketball coach at St. Joseph's University.

He coached neighborhood and Ridley Township clubs.

When basketball coaching wasn't enough, his son said, he went into minor-league football.

In 1964-65, Mr. DiGregorio was the business manager, treasurer, and equipment manager for the Wilmington Comets of the North American Football League.

In 1966, his son said, he was equipment manager for the Philadelphia Bulldogs of the Continental Football League, and from 1968 through 1970 he had the same responsibility with the Pottstown Firebirds of the Atlantic Coast Football League.

"He wanted to make a career in sports," his son said. And when Temple football coach Wayne Hardin came calling in 1970, "the dream was completed."

Besides his son John Jr., Mr. DiGregorio is survived by sons Timothy and Steven, daughters Debra Giancola and Donna, a brother, two sisters, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. His wives, Eleanor, Peggy, and June, died before him.

Visitation is 6 to 9 p.m. today and 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. tomorrow at the White-Luttrel Funeral Home, 311 N. Swarthmore Ave., Ridley Park. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Church of St. Madeline, Penn Street and Morton Avenue, Ridley Park. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.