Legendary South Jersey coach dies

Legendary boys' basketball coach Art DiPatri, who won more than 300 games at four South Jersey high schools, died Wednesday morning.

DiPatri, 70, won state titles in 1980 and 1983 at Paul VI. He also coached at Gloucester Catholic, Woodrow Wilson, and Gloucester City.

"I feel like I lost my brother," said former Gloucester Catholic coach Ralph Saquella, who was one of DiPatri's closest friends. "He was as genuine as they come."

Dipatri was a 1958 Gloucester Catholic graduate. He graduated from St. John's University and began his teaching and coaching career at St. Joseph's High School in Camden.

DiPatri was a long-time member of the faculty at Gloucester City High School. He started as an English teacher in 1969, and retired as director of guidance in 2002.

"He was a mentor to so many people," Gloucester athletic director Leon Harris said.

DiPatri was head coach at Woodrow Wilson for two years in the late 1960s. When he left the Camden school to take the position at Gloucester, he was replaced by his assistant coach, Gary Williams.

Williams won a state title with a 27-0 team in 1970 and went on to become a major-college coach who won a national title at Maryland in 2004.

DiPatri finished his coaching career in 1986. His assistant for his final three years was Steve Selby, who became Paul VI's head coach after DiPatri's retirement.

"I was lucky to have an opportunity to learn under not only a great coach but also a great man," Selby said.

Funeral arrangements were pending.