Fran Nick

Francis J. Nick

November 27, 1943 - June 27, 2017

He graduated from North Catholic in 1961 and went to work at the Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard. During this time, he held

several positions with different departments for the U.S. Government. He traveled the world working on various naval ships. Later he worked in Design Division and NAVSSES. He received several awards and accolades throughout his professional career before retiring in 1997.

He played soccer for Lighthouse Boys Club and North Catholic. Although soccer was his passion, he also coached baseball and basketball for Lighthouse. He started his soccer coaching career at Mayfair Shamrocks, founded the CYO soccer program at St. Charles Borromeo in 1978 and the Parkwood Lightning Soccer Club in 1984, coaching the Lightning to two state titles and numerous league and tournament championships. He then went on to coach Holy Ghost Prep from 1988 to 2008, winning a PIAA state title and numerous district and league titles. During this time, he also coached several ICSL select teams and the Hulmeville Menace boys.

Coach was always fair and an outstanding mentor, always making sure everyone played in every game regardless of the score. He received several coaching awards and was named 'Coach of the Year' by the Bucks County Courier Times twice. In addition, he was inducted into Holy Ghost Prep's and Philadelphia Old Timers Hall of Fame. Later he went back to work at Holy Ghost Prep in the financial office, handling alumni affairs, and coached the JV soccer team for two seasons, then retired from Holy Ghost Prep.

Source: https://www.fluehrfh.com/obituary/4280286

Editor’s Note: Fran was my baseball coach in the International league (Indians) back in the mid-1960s.