Edward Onorato

Edward Onorato 80, of Erie Pa passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 4th at Fairview Manor. He was born in Erie, Pa, the son of late Clarence Onorato and Jane Petachi Onorato. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Yezzi Onorato, 3 sons Anthony of Morgantown West Virginia, David (Lori) of Erie Pa, and Thomas (Patty) of Guyton Georgia. Edward has 7 grandchildren (Nicholas, Jessica, Jacob, Patrick, Shawn, Chris and Andrew), and 3 great grandchildren.
He is also survived by two brothers Clearance “Scrappy” Onorato and Paul Onorato (Wendy), and 2 sisters Susan Galeazzo (John) and Patty Waide (Larry). He is a graduate of Tech Memorial High School in 1958, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education from Slippery Rock University in 1963. Edward taught briefly at Lancaster Catholic High School, in Lancaster PA, before earning his Master of Science Degree in Physical Education at the University of Arizona.
Edward was an accomplished athlete while at Tech Memorial High School where he Graduated in 1958 and earned Varsity Letters in both wrestling and football. He later went on to Slippery Rock University where graduated in 1963, while earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Physical Education and Health. As an athlete he excelled in football and wrestling where in football he was a member of the 1962 PSAC Championship Team. In wrestling in went 18-1 over 2 seasons and earned an invitation to the 1964 Olympic Trails where he concluded competitive Wrestling Career.
Edward then began his teaching and wrestling coaching career at Lancaster Catholic High School in Lancaster Pa. After one year, he left Lancaster Catholic to pursue his Master of Science Degree in Physical Education at the University of Arizona in Tucson Arizona, as a Graduate Assistant Wrestling Coach for the Wildcats wrestling team under the direction of legendary wrestling coach Bill Nelson.
In 1966 he accepted an Associate Professor of Physical Education, and Head Wrestling Coach Position at Behrend Collage in Erie Pa. For 13 years, as a professor he coached various sports but it was his Head Wrestling Coach position where he excelled. As a result, he was inducted into the Penn State Behrend Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. After college coaching, he served McDowell High School in Erie PA as an Assistant Varsity Wrestling Coach from 1982 through 86. Ed then accepted a Health and Physical Education Teaching and Head Wrestling Coach Position in the fall of 1986 at Cathedral Preparatory High School in Erie Pa. Again, he excelled as a Teacher and Wrestling Coach until the spring of 2000, where he stepped down as head coach. During his tenure Ed crowned 3 PIAA State Champions and numerous State Place winners and Regional and District Champions for the Rambler Wrestling team. Ed’s 1995 wrestling team finished 5th in the PIAA and his 1996 wrestling team finished 3rd in the PIAA championships.
In 1999 he was elected into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and in 2004 he was inducted into the Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Ed was an accomplished writer and poet, where his coaching philosophies and approach to life are captured in his Published E-book “A Humanistic Approach to Wrestling”. Ed has written many, many poems, with 2 published poems to his credit as well. In addition to coaching wrestling and writing Ed also was a builder. Influenced by his father, Ed enjoyed and at times made his living building homes. And above all things, Ed was a devote family man to his wife, son’s, grandchildren, mother, father, brothers, sisters and extended family. He’s compassions and strength extended to anyone who know him, including many special friends, who loved very much, as they in turn, loved him.
Ed was faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steeler and Pirate fan. He loved Nascar racing on Sunday’s after church. He enjoyed golfing with his brothers and friends. He loved homemade raviolis with his family and ways always working hard in his yard.
Memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association in Ed’s name. Ed’s family would like to thank Hospice of Erie, UPMC 7th Floor Nurses and Fairview Manor Hospice Nurses.
Friends are invited to call on the family Saturday, May 8, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Service Inc. West Ridge 3801 West 26th Street, Erie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church 2401 W 38th St, Erie. Burial to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Send Condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com