The Life of Howard S. Ratinoff
Howard Ratinoff, 75, of Bala Cynwyd, PA, died Tuesday, April 5, 2016. He is survived by Loren (Goldberg) Ratinoff, his wife of 48 years; son Eric and his wife Nicole Leapley; son Scott and his wife Jillian Kesselman-Ratinoff; sister Jeanne (Ratinoff) Redlinger, and grandchildren Simon and Alix Ratinoff.
Howard was a loving husband, father, brother, son, and grandfather. He was also a lifelong teacher, coach, and friend. He taught in the Philadelphia School District for 36 years, and coached basketball, football, cross country, and track and field at Thomas Edison High School. In 1996, he fulfilled a lifelong dream when he coached the Edison boys’ basketball team to the Philadelphia Public League Championship, and was named the 1995-1996 Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Daily News.
After retiring from the School District of Philadelphia, he briefly took an office job, but teaching and coaching were too much in his blood. He returned to teaching as well as coaching several sports at Saligman Middle School, and then coached basketball at the Philadelphia School.
He helped found the Philadelphia Public League High School Basketball Classic All-Star Game in 1976, and he was also a basketball referee for four decades, refereeing his last game in March 2016.
As a coach and teacher, he mentored countless young men and women. In the days since his death, many former players have called to say that he was like a father to them, and that he changed the direction of their lives. Though he coached to win and hated to lose, making a difference in the lives of those he coached, teaching his players life lessons through sports, playing the game the right way, and developing lifelong friendships through the game always mattered more to him than wins and losses.
Generations of children who went to Indian Springs Day Camp knew him as Uncle Howie. Serving as head counselor of the camp for nearly 30 years, he was loved and respected as a leader with a great sense of humor—who would “send you to the porch” if you got out of line. Summer was a magic time for Eric and Scott, who got to go to work with their dad every day, throughout their entire childhoods.
Though he was a man in perpetual motion—teaching, coaching, refereeing, golfing, kibbitzing with friends—he was always present for his family. He was warm, patient, kind, generous, considerate, and curious; quick with a laugh, and not at all afraid to be silly. He was absolutely committed to doing the right thing, and he brought a clear sense of character, values, and principles to everything that he did. With friends, he was all of those things, and fiercely loyal—many of his friends were his friends for more than 50 years.
Born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, the son of Harry and Rose Ratinoff, he graduated from Northeast High School, West Chester State College, and Temple University. He also served in the United States Army National Guard.
He touched so many lives, and was a part of so many great memories and stories. His family hopes that you will share not just your condolences, but your favorite stories and memories, whether you knew him as Howie, Rat, Coach Rat, Mister Rat, Uncle Howie, or just plain Howard.
Please join us for the funeral service Friday, April 8, at 11:00 A.M. at Bringhurst Funeral Home at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 225 Belmont Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in his memory to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, http://www.lbbc.org/how-you-can-help/donate.
Howard was a loving husband, father, brother, son, and grandfather. He was also a lifelong teacher, coach, and friend. He taught in the Philadelphia School District for 36 years, and coached basketball, football, cross country, and track and field at Thomas Edison High School. In 1996, he fulfilled a lifelong dream when he coached the Edison boys’ basketball team to the Philadelphia Public League Championship, and was named the 1995-1996 Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Daily News.
After retiring from the School District of Philadelphia, he briefly took an office job, but teaching and coaching were too much in his blood. He returned to teaching as well as coaching several sports at Saligman Middle School, and then coached basketball at the Philadelphia School.
He helped found the Philadelphia Public League High School Basketball Classic All-Star Game in 1976, and he was also a basketball referee for four decades, refereeing his last game in March 2016.
As a coach and teacher, he mentored countless young men and women. In the days since his death, many former players have called to say that he was like a father to them, and that he changed the direction of their lives. Though he coached to win and hated to lose, making a difference in the lives of those he coached, teaching his players life lessons through sports, playing the game the right way, and developing lifelong friendships through the game always mattered more to him than wins and losses.
Generations of children who went to Indian Springs Day Camp knew him as Uncle Howie. Serving as head counselor of the camp for nearly 30 years, he was loved and respected as a leader with a great sense of humor—who would “send you to the porch” if you got out of line. Summer was a magic time for Eric and Scott, who got to go to work with their dad every day, throughout their entire childhoods.
Though he was a man in perpetual motion—teaching, coaching, refereeing, golfing, kibbitzing with friends—he was always present for his family. He was warm, patient, kind, generous, considerate, and curious; quick with a laugh, and not at all afraid to be silly. He was absolutely committed to doing the right thing, and he brought a clear sense of character, values, and principles to everything that he did. With friends, he was all of those things, and fiercely loyal—many of his friends were his friends for more than 50 years.
Born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, the son of Harry and Rose Ratinoff, he graduated from Northeast High School, West Chester State College, and Temple University. He also served in the United States Army National Guard.
He touched so many lives, and was a part of so many great memories and stories. His family hopes that you will share not just your condolences, but your favorite stories and memories, whether you knew him as Howie, Rat, Coach Rat, Mister Rat, Uncle Howie, or just plain Howard.
Please join us for the funeral service Friday, April 8, at 11:00 A.M. at Bringhurst Funeral Home at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 225 Belmont Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in his memory to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, http://www.lbbc.org/how-you-can-help/donate.
Filter Howard S. Ratinoff's Timeline by the following Memory Categories
2016.04.06
I was at EFHS with Howard. I remember how he used to work with the teams he coached. He always pushed them beyond their limits. He stood behind them at every game. He was a true coach in every aspect of the term. I had several conversation's with him that taught me a lot and I thank him for his words of wisdom. We will miss you...
Sharon
Posted by Sharon N
2016.04.08
I have so many memories from the many, many years (I believe I was first introduced to Howie when I was 2) I have known Howie, but want to share a relatively recent one. We've been invited to the Ratinoff Siper Bowl party for many years. Howie was always a very welcoming and gracious host. He always exhibited a lot of interest on what I and my family had been up to since we last saw each other. My most vivid recollections of the parties were the pools that he ran - the grid pool and the contest in which everyone pick the game's winner and final score. He thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the Big Game and excitedly encouraged everyone to participate without applying too much pressure. But, what I remember most is Howie quickly walking from the family room to the dining room after every score to check the big grid taped to the dining room wall to see who was now in the money.
I also must mention that I owe my love (or is it an addiction) of fantasy football to Howie. BCFL anyone?!
Posted by Andy W
2016.04.09
I had the privilege of working with Rat at Edison. What a great guy! I never saw him get upset and that was tough at Edison. He truly was one of the best teachers and department heads that I ever knew. He will be missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.
Ed Stanton
Posted by Ed S
2016.04.09
Howie was such a wonderful friend during my summers as the INDIAN SPRINGS camp nurse.He would visit me the infirmary every day just to cool off from the heat of summer.We had wonderful talks and his sense of humor had me laughing every day.He was so caring and kept the hundreds of campers "in line" from the start to finish of every day .
He was a mensch in every sense of the word .His sons were lucky to have him as their father and so were the many who called him coach.
Posted by amy b