Jorge Severini, 67, soccer coach

Jorge "George" Severini, 67, of Havertown, a soccer lifer who coached boys at Haverford High School for 22 years and ran youth camps for a quarter-century, died of a heart attack Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Mr. Severini was Haverford's head coach from 1989 to 2010, winning the Central League championship in 1994. He was named the league's coach of the year both that season and in 2002.

He spent the last four seasons at Lower Merion, where he assisted head coach Nico Severini, one of his two sons. The Aces won the Central League in 2013. Overall, Mr. Severini compiled a high school coaching record of 233 wins, 115 losses, and 57 ties.

This year was the 25th that he ran World Class Soccer School, which held camps mostly in Haverford and Lower Merion Townships. Both his sons, Nico and George, helped coach at the camps.

Mr. Severini was born in Argentina and played professionally there in both soccer and basketball. He moved to the Philadelphia area in 1971. He played soccer with, among others, the Philadelphia Atoms, Philadelphia Spartans, Ukrainian Nationals, Hungarian Americans, and Delaware Wings, and started his coaching career as a player/coach in the United Soccer League in 1980.

"He was just so compassionate and nice, and he would connect to people of all ages. It didn't matter where they were from or what language they spoke," Nico Severini said.

"He was just very charismatic and had such a passion for being around people, making people feel special, and then sharing his knowledge of the sport."

Mr. Severini also was passionate about basketball, Nico Severini said, and was close friends with former Temple coach John Chaney. Mr. Severini and Chaney traveled to Argentina in the 1980s to promote the sport, Nico said.

In addition to his sons, Mr. Severini is survived by his wife of 35 years, Maria; daughter Marlena; a brother; and a granddaughter.

Funeral arrangements were pending.