Robert E “Coach” Finafrock, formerly of Orrtanna, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at SpiriTrust in Gettysburg, PA, living a very full life of 88 years.
Coach was born August 10, 1936, in St. Thomas, PA, the son of the late Jacob Knoll and Mildred Gift Finafrock. He was preceded in death in 2017 by the love of his life and wife of 58 years, Donna Raye Keller Finafrock.
Coach graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1954 and from Shippensburg University in 1958. He began his 33-year teaching career in Altoona. He transferred to St. Thomas to be closer to home before taking a position with Fairfield in 1966. When Coach moved to Fairfield with his young family, he introduced the wonderful game of soccer to Adams County and started the Fairfield High School Boys Varsity Soccer program. He helped to establish and build the soccer field by raking stones and planting grass seed. He coached the program for 25 years, winning two South Penn Championships, advancing the team to several District playoffs, seven of which were consecutive, and led the 1979 team into state qualifying playoffs. He led with many positive and inspiring mottos, bringing the community together in support of the soccer program. By the end of his coaching career, he had earned 209 wins and continued to support the program as a resourceful Mentor, Sports Announcer, and faithful fan. Coach was inducted into the Adams County Sports Hall of Fame for his unmatched commitment to the soccer program. In 2008, the soccer field was dedicated to Coach and officially named the “Robert E. Finafrock Field”. Throughout his time in Fairfield, Coach also served as Junior High Boys Basketball coach, High School Girls Varsity Basketball coach, as well as the district’s Athletic Director. A natural-born leader and gifted motivator, Coach inspired countless lives in classrooms, on sports fields, in gymnasiums, at church, and in the surrounding community. He will be greatly missed and his passion and energy will live on in us all.
Coach was also an active member of the Orrtanna United Methodist Church (now Good News Church of Orrtanna) where he served on the grounds committee, as Sunday School Superintendent, a choir member, and the lead coordinator of the famous Orrtanna Chicken Dinners for many years. In his retirement,t he enjoyed mowing and gardening, especially growing cucumbers, and would count his daily harvest. He also enjoyed driving the flower delivery truck for Musselman’s Greenhouse and transporting fruit auction items for Donaldson Fruit Farm. He was a lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan, watching or listening to the games as often as he could.
Coach is survived by his five children: Timothy Finafrock and wife Marti of Fairfield; Kimberly Donaldson and husband David of Gettysburg; Jonathan Finafrock and wife Larisa from Downingtown, PA; Jaymes Finafrock and wife Margaret of Fairfield; Angela Brasee and husband Jay of Orrtanna.
Coach’s 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren were the light of his life. Grandchildren are: Jacob Donaldson (wife Amber), Andrew Donaldson, Jessica Finafrock (husband Nick Harrian), Erin Donaldson (fiance Sam Price), Rebekah Finafrock, Abigail Finafrock, Jenna Brasee, Lyndsey Brasee, Melisa Finafrock, Carolyn Finafrock, and Evan Finafrock. Great-grandchildren are: Haley Donaldson, Harper Finafrock-Harrian, Maddie Donaldson, Genevieve Finafrock-Harrian, and Marlowe Finafrock-Harrian.
In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Coach was predeceased by a sister, Doris Ferry, and grandsons Henry and Herbert Finafrock. He is survived by two brothers-in-law: Earl Richard Ferry and Gary Lee Keller (wife Jenny), both of Chambersburg, many nieces and nephew,s and extended family.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, June 1st at 4:00 PM at the Robert E. Finafrock Field on the Fairfield school campus. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until the time of the service. Following the service, there will be a light fare reception at the Fairfield Fire Hall. In the event of inclement weather, all activities will be held at the Fairfield Fire Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Good News Church of Orrtanna, 1717 Carrolls Tract Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353 or to your favorite local youth soccer organization. Online obituary and condolences are available at monahanfuneralhome.com.