Malvern Man, Hall of Fame Chesco Football Coach, Passes At 79

Image and obituary courtesy Alleva Funeral Home.

Charles J. Chiccino of Malvern, PA Charles J. Chiccino “Chic”, “Coach”, “Poppy”, 79, quietly, comfortably passed away at Paoli Hospital November 12, 2016. He was born February 13, 1937 in West Chester, PA. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Malvern. Chic graduated from Tredyffrin-Easttown High School with the Class of 1955.

He was a three year varsity letter winner in football, basketball and baseball as well as Class President and member of the National Honor Society. His 1954 T-E Bulldogs were Ches-Mont Champs in football. He received numerous awards; among them was the Purple Heart Football Award for the Outstanding Player in the Ches-Mont League. Chic was so proud to have played fullback and linebacker for the great W. Glenn Killinger at West Chester University.

He graduated with a degree in Health and Physical Education in 1959. Chic served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1959 to 1961. He received the Outstanding Trainee Award at Fort Jackson, SC. Most of his teaching career was spent at Downingtown High School where he taught Health and Physical Education and was department chair for 25 years. He coached many sports and was advisor to several faculty and student organizations.

After his first year as Head Coach of the Whippet football team and a successful 7-4 season with many upset victories including a five-game winning streak at the end of the season, Chic was chosen Ches-Mont Coach of the Year. Again in 1976 after leading his team to a co-championship for the Ches-Mont league, he was chosen Coach of the Year.

The most rewarding part of his coaching experience was the wonderful friendships he forged with so many young men. They continue to keep in touch with cards, calls, visits and dinners. Chic was inducted into the T-E/Conestoga Oldtimers Hall of Fame, the WCU Killinger Football Foundation Hall of Fame, the Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania State Hall of Fame and the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame.

He was a charter member of the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame and a board member of the WCU Killinger Football Foundation. Very active in the T-E/Conestoga Football Association (formerly the Oldtimers), he served two terms as President and six years as treasurer and Chairman of the Board. Chic married High School sweetheart Peggy Fillippo in 1961. After a short bout with pancreatic cancer, Peggy died in 1994.

Chic recovered from successful esophageal cancer surgery in 2003. He married Anne McGee in 2005. He is survived by his daughter Sandra Barrow, her husband Greg and their two children Jack and Ryan and his son Chuck and his wife Molly. He was preceded in death by his daughter Sharon.

There will be a viewing Wednesday evening, November 16 from 6 to 8 at the Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli.

Thursday morning, November 17, there will be a viewing at St. Patrick’s Church, 104 Channing Street, Malvern from 9:45 to 11:15. The funeral Mass will follow at 11:15.

Interment will be at Philadelphia Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the T-E/Conestoga Football Association Scholarship Fund, 244 Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355.