John J. Sacca, Sr., Longtime Coach and Teacher for Palmyra School System
Friday, August 23, 2024
John J. Sacca, Sr., age 82, of Delran, NJ, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
He was the son of the late Anthony and Cecelia Sacca of Palmyra, NJ. John was a longtime teacher and coach for the Palmyra School System. He was a 1959 Graduate of Camden Catholic High School and attended Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC where he received his BA in History, and later earned his Master’s Degree from Glassboro State College, now Rowan University.
John is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Peg Sacca (nee Brumbach), and his sisters, Sr. Cecelia Sacca and Mary Beth Sanford (the late Roy). Also surviving are his children, Tricia Sacca Fabbri (Paul), Tony Sacca (Michelle), John Sacca, Jr. (former wife, Nicole), and Ralph Sacca (Cristen). He is also survived by; his eight grandchildren, Carly, AJ and Paul Fabbri, Johnny, Vincent and Rocco Sacca, Anthony Sacca and Truman Sacca, along with his Brothers-in-law, Sisters-in-law, many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
John loved marrying into his wife Peg’s large family with her many brothers and sisters, treasuring their many times together. His wife graduated from Gloucester Catholic High School, Class of 1963.
John taught and coached in Palmyra since 1967. He began his coaching career as coach of the Freshman Basketball Team. He would go on to become the Baseball coach in 1970 where his 1973 Team won the Burlington County League Championship and the South Jersey Group 1 Championship. John also coached the Girls Soccer Team starting in 1988, reaching the South Jersey Group 1 Championship in 1990. John concluded his coaching career in 2000, having coached in 600 games spanning 5 decades.
John was active in several coaching associations during his tenure at Palmyra High School (PHS). He was one of the original Board of Directors who founded the South Jersey Coaching Association in 1974. John was named South Jersey Baseball Coach of the Year in 1973 and honored in 2001 by the SJ Coaches Assoc. in appreciation for his service to high school baseball in South Jersey. He was inducted into the SJ Men’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
Since his retirement, John has taught in the PHS Adult Night School and, most recently, in the PHS Homebound Student Program.
He especially loved to follow his children’s athletic teams, accomplishments and their own coaching endeavors. “Pop Sacca” never missed a game of his grandchildren and was their truest fan!
John loved the outdoors and was a Master Gardener, who enjoyed sharing his bounty of Jersey tomatoes and peppers with friends and neighbors each year. He would plant gardens of tulips for neighborhood children and reveled in their appreciation come Springtime.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Viewing on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Weber Funeral Home, 112 Broad Street, Riverton, NJ 08077 (856-829-2700) and to attend his Funeral on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at Resurrection Parish, Holy Name Church site, 260 Conrow Road, Delran, NJ 08075 beginning at 10:00 AM with a Eulogy followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. A Private Interment at Lakeview Memorial Park will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in his memory to either the St. Vincent dePaul Society at Resurrection Parish, 260 Conrow Rd., Delran, NJ 08075 or the Belmont Abbey College, Office of College Relations, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd., Belmont, NC. 28012-9987. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with his family at www.weberfuneralhomeinc.com
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