James Stephen “Red” McNie, 89, of Moon Township, passed away Friday, October 14, 2016, surrounded by his loving family and the music of Frank Sinatra.

Red was born on June 7, 1927, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, and was the son of the late Gilbert and Elizabeth (Branter) McNie.

Wanting to serve and defend his country during war, Red left Aliquippa High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served in the Pacific Theater in the latter stages of World War II as a Gunner’s Mate Third Class on both the U.S.S. Gilbert Islands and the U.S.S. Deuel. While in the Navy, Red earned a Pacific Theater Ribbon (three stars), American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal and Philippine Liberation Medal.

Honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946, Red returned to Aliquippa High School to complete his degree. He then went on to attend Shippensburg State College from 1947-1951, where he played three years of basketball, winning two letters. Upon graduation, Red was employed by Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp in Aliquippa as a security guard. He also played basketball in the J&L Industrial League.

After 18 years in the industrial world, Red decided it was time for a change in careers and became a teacher and basketball coach. He was hired as an assistant coach for the Aliquippa basketball team in 1969, and eventually earned head coach of the Quips in 1976. From then until his retirement in 1993, Aliquippa basketball evolved into one of the most successful high school programs in the state. Red’s teams were a force to be reckoned with compiling a 363-120 record that included ten section titles and fourteen consecutive playoff appearances. His teams reached the WPIAL title game three times, winning the championship twice, and also played for the PIAA title three times, winning once. Additionally, his Quips reached the WPIAL semifinals eight times and the PIAA semifinals four times. Red was selected Coach of the Year on five occasions. He was a coach in the 1977 Quigley Classic and in 1983 coached the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic. His overall record was 456-140 and his teams won 85 percent of their section games. In recognition of his long and successful coaching career, Red was inducted into both the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame and the Pittsburgh Basketball Club Hall of Fame.

Even after retiring from coaching, Red was a passionate Aliquippa fan who continued to follow both the basketball and football programs’ continued success. In addition to a love for cheering on all sports, Red enjoyed daily crossword puzzles (in ink!), morning walks at Robinson Mall, coffee runs to Starbucks for Pike’s Peak, screw-drivers with cherry juice, going to the theater, and the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban. He also made regular trips to Walt Disney World with his family. The Annual Epcot Wine and Food Festival, Flower Festival and New Year’s Eve Celebration were yearly traditions.

In addition to his parents, Red was preceded in death by his brothers Gilbert and Eugene McNie, his sisters-in-law Pamela Coladonato and Maureen Ricci, his brother-in-law David Anderson and his nephew Patrick Cooney.

Red is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, Margie, and his daughter and best friend, Bridget and son-in-law Clark. His brothers- and sisters-in-law include John Coladonato, Patrick and Chee-Chee Cooney, Kevin and Betty Cooney, Tim and Renie Cooney and Rachel Anderson. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, countless Aliquippa basketball players and students, and several walkers from the Robinson Mall.

The family will greet friends Tuesday, October 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Copeland Funeral home in Moon Township. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, October 19, at 10 a.m., at St. Margaret Mary Church. Interment with military honors will follow in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Hopewell Township.

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