2014 WEST CATHOLIC GOLDEN BURR AWARD TO ST. BARNABAS OWN JOHN TOMOSKY...To write about John Tomosky is quite a task that actually could be a book much less a page or two. John is very much like the proverbial iceberg. On the surface John would seem to be an an easy read. After a successful football career at West Catholic and graduating in 1963 John went on to be a star player at Temple University. Upon graduating from Temple John went on to a very successful career at the Philadelphia International Airport until his retirement just a few years ago. During his career at the airport John always found time for the youngsters,and future BURRS, of Southwest Philadelphia by sharing his athletic knowledge as a football and track coach at St. Barnabas. John coached Shamrock Football from 1975 until 1986. After leaving the football program John took over the St. Barnabas Track and Field teams from 1987 until1997. John also served as an assistant coach for the University of Pennsylvania Sprint (lightweight) Football Team in 2007 and 2008. This is only the tip of the iceberg of John Tomosky. THERE IS NOT A DAY IN JOHNS LIFE THAT HE IS NOT DOING SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE IN NEED. As Post Commander of the Kilbride Dougherty Campbell American Legion Post 959, in Southwest Philly John has on many occasions personally escorted many veterans around the various VA offices to guide them through the confusing bureaucracy of the administration to make sure they received all the benefits they were due.Many West Catholic Veterans are receiving help that they would not have gotten without Johns help. John is also Co-chairman for Membership for the eastern section of Pennsylvania for the American Legion. A job that keeps him on the road quite a bit in an effort to help veterans. As a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians,Dennis Kelly,Division 1, Havertown Pa. John serves as Director of Veterans Affairs. In this capacity John has organized and presided over memorial Day ceremonies to salute Irish-Catholic Veterans of past conflicts. Besides his veterans responsibilities within the AOH John takes an active role in all AOH charitable activities including the Hibernian Hunger Project. One of Johns biggest pride and joy is organizing a yearly clinic in North Wildwood as clinic coordinator for the Southwest Coaches Association. The clinic is held every year on the same week-end as BURRS AT THE BEACH.The highlight for John personally is when he helps salute many of the folks who made possible his years as a youngster in Southwest Philly and particularly CYO Sports and West Catholic. In this capacity John has made sure many folks who had a major part in the successs of Southwest CYO programs and West Catholic get recognized for their efforts. Many folks who never received recognition or a pat on the back have been honored because of John. Johns dedication extends to his love of our great Philadelphia tradition the Mummers Parade. John serves as an officer for the Murray Comic Brigade. Every year John stands proudly at the judging area are serves as the official club announcer as the brigade performs. Beside all the above John finds time to spear-head programs to re-fabricate homes in West Philadelphia for homeless and veterans,be an active member in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7245 in Tinicum and The Knights of Columbus,Peace Council 4518 in Crum Lynne PA. John, recently in honor of all he has done, was the recipient of the 2014 St. Kevins Basketball Tournament Dare to Dream Award. As mentioned in the beginning for this humble attempt to describe John C. Tomosky we would need more time and space. Let us simply end this attempt by saying we know of few loyal sons of West Catholic who have done more to spread her fame than John CTomosky 63. John will receive the Golden Burr Award at this years West Catholic Alumni Association 93rd Annual Communion Breakfast. The breakfast and awards ceremonies will take place Sunday May 4th immediately following 9:00AM Mass at the Springfield Country Club,400 W. Sproul Road, Springfield,PA 19064. For ticket and ads for the program book call 610-246- 1020 or 215-387-8560. We hope to see a great turn out of SWFCA members and friends as we get a chance to salute our own and many other members of our beloved West Catholic Community.Hope you join us in honoring this ‘Proud and Loyal Burr’
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 20:30:30 +0000