Ambrose (Andy) Domonic Zubel

He was born on September 13, 1921 in Wheeling, West Virginia where he discovered his life-long passion for football. At Wheeling High School he lettered in football all four years, was All-State two years and captained the senior team.

While a freshman at West Virginia University, where he was captain of the undefeated freshman football team, he enlisted in the United States Navy immediately after Pearl Harbor. He served until 1946 attaining the rank of Aviation Machinist Mechanic 3rd Class. After the Navy he returned to WVU where he completed his education and continued his football career. He proudly played in the WVU victory over UTEP in the 1949 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. At WVU he received a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1950 and Master’s Degree in 1952.

In 1950 he married the love of his life, Phyllis Beth Mills. Shortly after being wed the couple moved to Chester, WV, where he was Head Coach of the Chester High School football and baseball teams until 1953. In 1954 he began his college football coaching career as Line Coach for Harold Lahar at Colgate University in New York. After three years at Colgate he and Phyllis moved to Houston, Texas where Andy continued to coach football as the University Of Houston Line Coach from 1957-1961. Beginning in 1962, he joined the Physical Education Department at the University of Houston and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1986. Throughout his professional career he touched, counseled, guided and subsequently improved countless lives with his steady, sometimes almost relentless, coaching, teaching, supervision of student teachers, Director of the Required Program and writing of textbooks.

During his retirement, he was lovingly known as the “Sheriff” of his neighborhood because he was always aware of what was going on and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to help his neighbors through the trials of life both great and small. In 1994 he became a grandfather and the great coach became “Papa” who continued to teach, guide and love his grandchildren Paige and Zach.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis, his son Michael and wife Eva, his grandchildren Zach and Paige all of Houston and his sister, Lottie Monteleone of Wheeling WV.

He is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Sophia Kobialka Zubel, and siblings Virginia, Frank, Fifi, Helen, Josephine, Mary, and Katherine.

Friends are invited to visitation with the family from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at Earthman’s Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris, Bellaire, TX. Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 am, Thursday, November 11, 2010 at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX. Burial will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery with full military honors.