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RAYMOND BLOCK Obituary
RAYMOND A., JR., age 82 passed away on October 25, 2013. He was predeceased by his loving parents Raymond and Ethel Block and sister Dorothy Breitmeyer. He will be sadly missed by Vera Halper, his many cousins and dear friends. Mr. Block was a founder and manager of Mayfair Athletic Organizations his whole life with the last being Mayfair Monarchs. Relatives and friends are invited to his services Monday 11:00 am at Mayfair Presbyterian Church, 3323 Tudor Street. Friends may pay their respects Monday 10 am to 11 am at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials to a charity or animal shelter of your choice would be appreciated.
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Memories and Condolences
for RAYMOND BLOCK
Stephen E Andress
June 3, 2024
I played for The Mafair Monarchs in the early 70's Mr.Block coached my team.He was very instrumental in developing my love for baseball. RIP
Danielle Founds Thompson
January 31, 2014
Mr Block took my family under his wing and taught us step by step basketball. The rules and skills. I had my fair share of him yelling at me to think and you know better. Mayfair Monarchs was my life up until high school. I respected him as a coach and mentor. I played soccer, softball and basketball. I have sold many hoagies so we could go to Florida on the 12 hour train ride. Ms Vera and Mr Block did everything possible to educate the youth of Mayfair about sportsmanship, honestly and loyalty not only to team mates but to Mayfair Monarch family. It was a pleasure knowing you and an honor to play for the Monarchs. Thank you. Danielle Founds Thompson
linda speziale
January 9, 2014
We will miss you! RIP Mike loved you!
Glenn Brackett
December 4, 2013
Has anyone heard if anyone is continue ing the Monarchs organization
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December 2, 2013
Wow..shocked and saddened to hear this! Both my children played for the Monarchs..my daughter and son. I remember Mr. Block's willingness to be at practices and pass on his knowledge of basketball for the kids to improve their games! I know that if other team families were made aware, they'd express the same sadness as me. Deep condolences to his family!
Karen Moylan
December 2, 2013
Wow..shocked and saddened to hear this! Both my children played for the Monarchs..my daughter and son. I remember Mr. Block's willingness to be at practices and pass on his knowledge of basketball for the kids to improve their games! I know that if other team families were made aware, they'd express the same sadness as me. Deep condolences to his family!
November 26, 2013
Mr. Block taught me the importance of playing as a team member, he was the most amazing coach I ever had the privilege to play for. He had an amazing heart, and dedication to his girls and the sport.
Bubbles Louie the Clown
October 29, 2013
I received a call some 20 years ago from this elderly gentleman telling me that he was referred to me and asked if I could entertain a group of children for his neighborhood Christmas party that he had every December 27th. For those of you that don't know me, my name is Lou Pinto A.K.A. Bubbles Louie the Clown. That's how I met Mr. Ray Block. Throughout the years no matter what day December 27th fell on I would go over Mr. Block's house and entertain all of his "Kids". These were kids from the neighborhood and kids of the kids that Ray had coached. He did this every year. I looked forward every year to entertaining at his home. Ray and Vera once told me that it was tradition for me to come every year, well Ray you see that also became my tradition and I must say honor to come every year. Going to Ray's party became a Holiday tradition for me as well as the many people whose Lives that Ray had touched throughout the years. The last several years I wouldn't even except payment for my services, after all how could I when it was like going to "Family" each year. He would insist and I would say no and leave, and a few days later I would receive a check in the mail from him. I just want to say Thank you Mr. Block for many Great memories. I will miss you dearly and every December 27th I will fondly remember you and all your "Kids" that I had the privilege of entertaining all those wonderful years...
Peggy Kavanagh
October 28, 2013
To a truly remarkable man. You were so mild and yet influenced so many. I hope you realized how many people you influenced.
October 28, 2013
So much more than a great coach. I had the fortunate experience of coaching for Mr. Block for several years. I even won a few championships too! But what I will always remember is certainly not the X's and O's, even though he could hang with the best there too! I will remember all the great conversations about life. I will remember all the "off the court advice". He was like a John Wooden figure to me. I loved the newsletters and all the great quotes he would list there! Glenn Brackett, Bill Prelle, Bill O'Shaugnessy and I had a fundraising Beef n' Beer one night for the Monarchs. People from many years earlier came back to see each other. It was wonderful and a successful night! I had to beg Mr. Block to say a few words - he was such a humble man. I will never forget that very small tear that welled up in his left eye as he was so happy to see all the "oldtimers" that night! I will never forget his words to me on the passing of our friend Richie Grimm. Truly a hero in an age where there are so few heroes. He has touched so many lives in countless positive ways. He will truly be missed by all. Even those athletes who played and coached against him really respected him. I'm sure he's coaching in heaven right now. God Bless you Coach Block! We love you! Carl Coleman.
October 28, 2013
Mr. Block gave his all to so many kids,
adults and the neighborhood. He was a
giving, loving man. Thanks you Mr. Block
for being such a good man for all of our teams. May your rest in peace.
Anne McKnight
Mo Newton
October 28, 2013
Mr. B was the most kind hearted man I have ever met. He was the best coach and mentor. He will truly be missed. Fly high Mr. B!
October 28, 2013
mrB was not only a coach he was a teacher.my years with the monarch he would tell the kids when they could not make a game he would tell them to call him not the parent.one of the many things in life you must do when you go out in the world. a coach, teacher ,friend ,and a person to talk to when you needed it.mr. block you will be missed and always remembered
Dave Baumann
October 28, 2013
Ray and I were friends for almost 30 years, first as rival coaches, and for the past 6 years as fellow Monarchs. I have never known a better man. He always, without fail, put kids first. I will miss him deeply. For the past 6 years I spoke to him after virtually every game I coached. Same routine--get in my car after the game and call Ray. Man will I miss that. Stopping at his house and having steak sandwiches while discussing future plans for the organization. We talked about lots of different things: current events, health issues, pro sports, memories from his past , hopes and dreams, and more. But with Ray, it always came back to the kids. He always wanted to make sure we were doing our best for the kids. The positive effect he had on local youth for over 60 years is immeasurable. And this amazing man wanted to keep going. After a long stint in a nursing home, he came home and asked me to arrange a meeting at his house with all of our coaches. He fully intended on picking up right where he had left off. Ray, thank you for all the great memories, and thank you for being such a good friend and good example of what a man should be. I am proud to say I knew you. Your passing not only leaves a huge hole in my heart--it leaves the world a darker and bleaker place. You made me a better person, and I, along with many others, will never forget you. R.I.P, my friend.
Glenn Brackett
October 27, 2013
Mr. Block was Mayfair Monarchs a giant youth organization in Mayfair and everyone respected and looked to out do his Monarchs! Going from football,basketball,baseball,softball, then even soccer to adjust to the times! I remember as an 8 year old playing for the Monarchs with my dad coaching with Mr Block, Rick Poll and Joe Gambone ! After my playing days were over I coached under Ray's wing at the age of 16! I am still coaching! I will never forget everything he taught me and try everyday to return it to the young children I work with ! This is an end to a great person!He is now with Mom long live all the memories. God bless
Erin Mahon
October 27, 2013
Mr. Block coached my brothers and myself for many years. My dad coached by his side for many of those years. He will truly be missed by my family and many other families. Thank you Mr. B for all of the memories i have made because i was part of such a great organization.
Stacie Sims
October 27, 2013
Mr. Block will be truly missed. He was an amazing coach and man and made a positive impact on many lives!
DONNA DOWLING
October 27, 2013
Mr Block was more than just my coach. He was my friend. He taught me so much. I loved going to the Ritz with him and Vera and my parents. It won't be the same. I wonder if he is bunking with Richie. Rest in Peace, Mr Block.
Lynda & Roger Newton
October 27, 2013
Mr. B was a wonderful coach to our children and friend to our family. He will be truly missed!
Terry Roberts
October 27, 2013
I coached and volunteered for Mr. B. and the Monarchs for many years. He gave of his time to so many children in the community including my 2 kids. I think because of what he taught through sports it made a difference in how successful many children became. I know it gave them something to do besides stand on a corner.
You will be missed by so many. God bless
Gerard St. John
October 27, 2013
How do you characterize a life? Are there ordinary people who render extraordinary service at the neighborhood level? Of course there are – if we look for them.
Ray Block was such a person. Ray was a decent athlete but lacked the size and speed necessary to be the standout ballplayer he would liked to have been. In the late 1940's, Ray gradually focused his energies on coaching with the old Mayfair Boys Club, an organization that had teams in the Sandlot Sports League. At that time, Sandlot Sports was the “showcase” youth competition with the highlight being the annual all-star game played at Shibe Park. But the vast majority of neighborhood baseball in those days was just a matter of showing up at the field and choosing sides. The winning team would keep playing. Those pickup games took place almost every morning and again every evening. Ray Block decided to start a new team that would compete in the Sandlot Sports league under the name Mayfair A.C. It would have regularly scheduled practices and full uniforms.
Mayfair A.C. was successful. Each year the organization added at least one new team and eventually added teams in other sports including football and basketball. Pretty soon, Mayfair A.C. was an amateur athletic conglomerate with an impressive array of teams, major fund raising events and elaborate awards banquets. It also had a volunteer management committee consisting largely of parents of the children on the teams. The committee eventually became so powerful that it decided that the organization no longer needed Ray Block. Ray never looked back. He simply started a new team. He called it the Mayfair Boys Club, the old team with that name having long since disbanded.
In the meanwhile, every so often in the past sixty years I encounter people who ask about Ray Block who they remember as their childhood coach. Ray, you done good!
Maryann "Coach" Rush
October 27, 2013
Mr Block was a selfless man, devoting his entire life to coaching children and hoping his influence would lead them to bigger and better things. I played and coached for the Mayfair Monarchs and know that there will never be another person like Mr B! Know we are thinking of you too, Vera and our memories will remain forever in our hearts and the Monarch memories will never fade away. RIP Mr. B!
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