Anthony F. Pinnie, educator, lawyer, marathon runner, and Mummer

Anthony F. Pinnie, 78, of Wallingford, an educator, a lawyer, a marathon runner, and a Mummer, died of pancreatic cancer Saturday, Aug. 14, at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.

The son of Italian immigrants, Mr. Pinnie grew up in South Philadelphia and began marching with comic divisions in Mummers Parades when he was 16. He graduated from South Philadelphia High School and earned a bachelor's degree in education from Pennsylvania State University, where he played intramural football.

During the Korean War, he served in the Army in a counterintelligence unit in Austria.

After his discharge, he taught English and coached baseball at Darby and Penncrest High Schools and earned a master's degree and doctorate in education from Temple University.

In 1966, he joined the faculty at Cheyney University, where for 25 years he was a professor of education administration. For 16 years, he was also sports information director, and for 10 years, he was an assistant to basketball coach John Chaney, who became a lifelong friend.

Mr. Pinnie counted among his proudest accomplishments being on the coaching staff in 1978 when Cheyney University won the NCAA Division II championship, his son Mark said.

When his son pursued a law degree, Mr. Pinnie followed suit, earning his degree at night from Widener University. After passing the bar in 1980, he opened a law office in Media. He practiced law and taught at Cheyney until retiring from the university in 1991.

He enjoyed crabbing in Ocean City, N.J., where he had a summer home, and hiking in Ridley Creek State Park.

A former runner, Mr. Pinnie completed 12 Boston Marathons and two Marine Corps Marathons. He ran his last Boston Marathon in 1992 at age 60 - the same year he ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

Inspired by his feat, Mr. Pinnie's son Mark, daughter Marie, and granddaughter Laura Pinnie have also completed the Boston Marathon.

In 1972, while at Cheyney, Mr. Pinnie studied English literature at Cambridge University on a postdoctoral fellowship and wrote a paper on Elizabeth Barrett Browning. He returned to Cambridge every year for further study and also made annual visits to Florence, Italy. His parents were Italian immigrants, and he spoke the language fluently, his son said.

He kept a busy schedule until the end, his son said. He continued to practice law and marched in the Mummers Parade in January with granddaughter Sophie. Though he had received a preliminary cancer diagnosis, he again traveled to Cambridge and Florence this summer.

An avid Eagles fan, Mr. Pinnie watched the team defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars Friday night, his son said.

In addition to his son and daughter, Mr. Pinnie is survived by a son, Anthony; a daughter, Jill McGraw; a brother; and six grandchildren. His wife of 40 years, Marie Mazzu Pinnie, died in 1995.

A celebration of life will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Sligo Restaurant, 113 W. State St., Media. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, at St. John Chrysostom Roman Catholic Church, 617 S. Providence Rd., Wallingford. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m.