William "Mickey" J McGroarty Jr

William J "Mickey"  McGroarty Jr, passed away October 11, 2021. He was the beloved husband of Beth Ann (nee Lee), loving father of Tracy Lynn Curci, Michelle Frances Armstrong (Robert K Jr) and William J "Jack" III (Maureen), cherished grandfather of Jacquelyn, Victoria, Christian, Savannah, Kyle, Sam, Sean and P.J. He willl be missed by his sister Jean ( late Bill) Kane and he missed his late sister Rosemary Mergen.

Mickey grew up in Germantown and, in his early years, was an almost permanent fixture at the Germantown Boys Club.  He graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1961 as an All-Catholic goalie on the soccer team.  Upon leaving Cardinal Dougherty, Mick joined the United States Air Force and worked for the Strategic Air Command in Texas and Germany.  When Mick finished his military service, he came home to Philadelphia and began working for the United States Postal Service.  He was a mailman in Somerton for 35 years.  Mick married the love of his life, Beth, in 1966, and they enjoyed 55 years of marriage.  They’ve known each other since they were 13 years old, and even went to the prom together in high school. 

Mick had a lifetime love of sports and family, and the two loves were certainly intertwined. Mick played semi-pro baseball and in several men’s soccer and softball leagues as a young man. As his playing days came to a close, his wife Beth recruited him to coach softball, basketball and soccer for his children at the Mayfair Shamrocks.  While coaching his daughters, Tracy and Michelle, Mickey realized the need for the advancement of women’s sports in the area.  As a result, Mickey started an intramural soccer program at St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, which eventually grew into the start of Girls’ Soccer in the Philadelphia Catholic League.  Mickey was at the helm of St. Hubert’s Soccer for 43 years, and eventually brought his skill set to Holy Family University as the Women’s Softball coach for 19 years.  Mickey’s son, Jack, spent many years coaching alongside him.  Mickey’s service to Philadelphia sports was certainly a family affair.

As a result of his long and distinguished coaching career, Mickey was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, SEPA Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame, St. Hubert High School Hall of Fame, and the Cardinal Dougherty Soccer Hall of Fame.  While he was proud of those personal accomplishments, Mickey understood that the real work was to allow countless young women the opportunity and confidence to further their education and careers.  This is his legacy of service. 

Despite those accolades, Mickey was most proud of his family.  As a family man, Mickey was a beloved husband, devoted father and doting grandfather.  He was always up for a phone call, a “quick” game of chess, or a trip to mini-golf. He was an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast, and loved it even more if his wife Beth (or anyone else for that matter) would give him the answers. He often traveled to Virginia to see his daughter’s family, flew across the country to visit his family in California, and could be found all along the East Coast to watch his grandchildren play sports and perform as musicians - and, as was his nature, always making friends along the way.  Nothing could keep him from his family; the love of his family is his true legacy.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, October 16, 2021, from  11:00 am to 2:00 pm , with Mass beginning at 2:00 pm, at St Hubert High School Auditorium. 7320 Torresdale Ave, Phila 19136. Auditorium entrance is on Ditman St.  Masking and social distancing requirements are in place. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in William J "Mickey" Mc Groarty's memory may be made to St Hubert Catholic HS for Girls, 7320 Torresdale Ave. Phila., PA 19136 or www.huberts.org/donation/.  Or to Holy Family University Women’s Athletics. By mail, send to the Development Office, Holy Family University, 9801 Frankford Ave, Phila, PA 19114. By Phone: 267-341-5007.

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