James Michael (Jim) Algeo
September 2, 1936 – January 20, 2020
James Michael (Jim) Algeo passed away peacefully with family by his side at Elm Terrace Gardens in Lansdale on January 20, 2020. He is preceded in death by his beloved bride of 60 years, Mary Margaret (Mickey) Algeo, (nee Filliben).
He is survived by his children Mary Margaret (Maggie) and Michael deMarteleire, James (Jim) M. Algeo, Jr. and Mary Wilson, Mary Beth and Scott Dewey, M. Bridget Algeo, M. Veronica (Ronni) Algeo, Mary Frances and Jon Traywick, Mary Eileen and Justin Besachio, and John Patrick and Christine Algeo. His son, Daniel, passed away in 2014.
He is also survived by 21 grandchilden: Michael de Marteleire, Jr., Jacqueline Stiles (William), Shannon Algeo (Pete DeLago), Sean Algeo, Anna Algeo, Sarah Algeo, Maeve Dewey, Moira Dewey, Rebecca Algeo, Dillon Algeo, Brayden Algeo, Scarlett Algeo, Mariah Dempsey (Thomas), Jonathan Traywick, Rio Besachio, Ryan Besachio, Colleen Besachio, Joseph Algeo, Monica Algeo, Clare Algeo, and Mary Algeo; and two great grandchildren, Brynn and Will Stiles.
Jim is predeceased by his parents Daniel and Sarah, and his brother Daniel. He is survived by siblings Sally Filliben, Mary Freburger, Sr. Eileen Algeo, SHCJ, and the Honorable Michael Algeo (retired).
Born September 2, 1936, at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, PA. Jim grew up in Sharon Hill, Pa., where he attended Holy Spirit Elementary School. He graduated from Holy Cross Seminary High School in Notre Dame, Indiana in 1954. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania Military College (PMC) in 1958 and a Master’s degree in Education from Temple University in 1966.
In 1958, Jim began his 54-year business teaching and football career as an Assistant Coach at Cardinal Dougherty High School in the Olney neighborhood of Philadelphia. Teaching and assistant coaching positions at Sun Valley and Penncrest High Schools in Delaware County followed. In 1968, Jim moved to Lansdale Catholic (LC) High School. Over his 44 years at LC, he led and taught in the Business Department, he directed and counseled in the Guidance Department, and he served as Head Football Coach. In the classroom, he taught advanced placement economics, accounting, personal finance and marketing. In Guidance, he counseled students making college and vocational choices. In football, Jim initiated the Rare Breed tradition and compiled a 294-183-15 record garnering a state championship, numerous district and conference titles, and an undefeated season. Jim also coached multiple All-Star games and received numerous distinctions and awards, including induction into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Coaches Halls of Fame in both Montgomery and Delaware Counties, and the Maxwell Football Club Lifetime Achievement Award. Despite these successes, Jim focused on preparing his students and players for life: “I don’t think you coach to win championships. We constantly preach to the kids that the football field is no more than any other classroom. I think that football is a means to an end, it’s not an end in itself. It’s a great game but that’s all it is; it’s a game.”
A member of St. Stanislaus Church for more than 50 years, Jim was a long-time daily communicant. He also taught in the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), served as a Eucharistic minister, routinely attended adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and shared a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother with his wife, Mickey.
Jim delighted in his role as “Pop-Pop,” calling himself a big kid to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He savored his family’s accomplishments – celebrating birthdays, holidays, sporting events, academic achievements, and career successes. He loved all things Irish and the Jersey shore. And he loved the University of Notre Dame and its football tradition.
Jim’s viewings will be Friday evening, January 24, 2020, from 4:30 to 8:30 PM at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 51 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, and again from Saturday, January 25, 2020, 9:00 to 10:45 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in the St. Stanislaus Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lansdale Catholic High School Athletic Department.
Arrangements by Simcox-McIlvaine Funeral Home, Lansdale, Pa.
R,I.P, Mr, Algeo
As news of Mr. Algeo’s failing health became known friends and team mates shared thoughts memories, quotations you appreciated the impact that he had on so many lives.
A memory I have is he could walk into a cafeteria of screaming teenagers. He wouldn’t say a word. In less than a minute you could hear a pin drop.
He was admired, appreciated, respected and loved.
Over the years He and his wife would attend many funerals of his former players, students and their parents and families.
He taught you football, business but most importantly he taught you to be a good person
His family is a reflection of that.
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
And, until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
Sending my deepest sympathy & prayers to Jim & Mickey’s Family. Your parents were exceptionally good people who will be deeply missed. Sincerely,
Pat Kearney & Family
It was a life well lived in faith, family, and football, but mostly filled with love. Coach will be missed, not just by his wonderful family, but by all those whose lives he touched…may he rest in peace!
To the Algeo Family, our deepest sympathy.
Love and prayers
The McBrearty Family
Mr. Algeo was introduced to the LC football team in the summer of 1968. We were all sitting the cafeteria. We were kids. We had no idea that we were meeting the man who would be the face of Lansdale Catholic for the next forty four years. Mr Algeo was a gifted coach, an outstanding teacher, and a force for good in the LC community. He will be greatly missed. My sympathy goes out to his wonderful family. It was an honor to know him.
Dear Mary Francis and Jon. I am sorry to hear of your Dads passing? My condolences.
Barb Rost
Here’s to a life well-lived and in thanksgiving for this good and gracious man! Love and prayers for all the Algeo family. You have a wonderful loving family in heaven praying for all of you!
Coach Jim Algeo was a mentor to many. He was very inspiring and has truly left this world a better place because of all the good he has done. God bless his soul and his beautiful family. A life truly well lived!
So very sorry for your loss. He was an integral part of the LC and St Stans community and will greatly missed.
What a great man and a tremendous lost to the LC community and it’s football program. I worked and coached with this great man for 37 year and became a better man because of it. My heart felt sympathy goes out to all of the Algeo family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.
Mr Algeo will always be remembered in our hearts. Lansdale Catholic was so blessed to have him. Our deepest condolences to the Algeo family. You are in our prayers.
Jim Algeo represented the very best model of a Catholic gentleman, dedicated to his family, his faith, and his profession as a Catholic Educator.
May the Angels lead him to Paradise!
Sr. Maureen McDermott
Our love and prayers go to the Algeo family for the loss of their father. We were their neighbors and enjoyed knowing and interacting with them. We know he is in heaven with Mickey and Danny. Many blessings from John and Mary Landis and family.
Thoughts and prayers are with all who loved the man. He was an inspiration to many!
I picture Coach on the shuttle to see his wife and Dan when God pops on the bus, smiles and shouts “Good one!”
I appreciate all that Coach taught me on the field and in the classroom. He was tough but fair and taught you to expect more from yourself.
Thoughts and prayers to all the Algeo family.
Good one coach !!! You made a great mark in your life for family & your community. God bless.
It was a privilege to have known Coach & Mickey, My deepest condolences to their family & friends!
Prayers for all the Alger family and the LC community.
Sister Judy Trumbore, IHM, Class of ‘58
Love and prayers to this wonderful man and his family ♥️