Celebrating the life of
Murtagh A. Spellman
October 29, 1921 - June 26, 2008
M. A. Spellman
SAVANNAH –Murtagh A. Spellman, Jr., 86, of Savannah passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at Memorial Health University Medical Center.
M.A. was born on October 29, 1921, in Savannah, the second son of Murtagh A. Spellman, Sr. and Marie Ballantyne Spellman. He attended Marist School for boys, and was a 1939 graduate of Benedictine Military School. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL for three and a half years. Before he could finish at Spring Hill, World War II delayed his schooling. He enlisted in the United States Navy in1942. He served on active duty for three and a half years and was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. During this time, he won the 1943 Southern AAU Light Heavyweight Boxing Championship. At the conclusion of World War II, he attended the University of North Carolina. He was quarterback of the Tarheels Football Team, and also set records in punting. Against Navy in 1947, one punt carried 82 yards. He received his baccalaureate degree, and his masters degree in Physical Education from the University of North Carolina.
In 1947, he married Margaret Barrett of Savannah, his wife for forty-three years. He coached at Clearwater FL High School for two years before being drafted in 1949 by the Philadelphia Eagles professional football team as quarterback and punter.
In 1952, M.A. returned to Savannah where he coached football, basketball and baseball at Commercial High School. Coach Spellman's Commercial High teams won many championships, including city and region football titles in 1953, and consecutive region basketball titles in 1953-1954. He was beloved by his Commercial High School athletes.
In 1958, he became Assistant Athletic Director of the Chatham County Board of Education, and in 1962, he became Athletic Director for Chatham County Public Schools until his retirement in 1977. He later became an insurance executive.
He is predeceased by his first wife, Margaret Barrett Spellman, their son, Thomas Joseph Spellman, and a brother, Commander William T. Spellman, USN.
He is survived by his wife, Marcelle Meriwether Spellman, a son, John Gerard Spellman, MD, and his wife Sherri, grandchildren Sean and Elise Margaret, and a sister, Captain Georgia E. Spellman, USN, all of Savannah.
He received many honors for his coaching and athletic achievements over his lifetime, but his greatest honor was the love and respect of every athlete he coached. He was inducted into the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.
He was Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Council 5588, and a charter member of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee for over forty years, and in 1979 he was honored by his beloved Irish Community as the 155th Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day Parade of Savannah.
Visitation will be at St. James Catholic Church, 8412 Whitfield Ave, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2008. Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2008, Father Joseph A. Smith, celebrant.
Interment will follow at Catholic Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Paul Jurgensen, MD, John Jurgensen, Joseph Jurgensen, Steve Spellman, Donald Melroy, and Billy Phillips.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Commercial High Football Team.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Benedictine Military School, 6502 Seawright Drive, Savannah, GA 31406, or to St. Vincent's Academy, 207 East Liberty Street, Savannah,, GA 31401.
All of our thoughts are with you and your family, John. Rusty and Patty Lavely
- Rusty and Patty Lavely, Savannah, GA
John, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but it seems that he left his mark on you! Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Greg
- Greg Sutlive, Savannah, GA
We've never known a nicer man. He will be greatly missed. Our Deepest Sympathy,
- Willie and Jean Remley, Savannah, GA
Dr. Spellman and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your father was a great gentleman and I feel so fortunate to have known him. Jim & Bobbie Lynes
- Jim Lynes, Richmond Hill, GA
Dear Spellman Family: Our deepest sympathies to you all. No one who knew 'Coach' will ever forget him, and we were all improved by his friendship, smile and spirit. Rusty & Roxanne Fleetwood and Family.
- William Fleetwood, Tybee Island, GA
John, Sherri, Sean, and Elise, Our deepest condolences are with you at this time. ALthough we did not know Mr.Spellman personally, my father could not say enough nice things about him. Obviously, he was a fine man to have as a father and friend. Please let us know if there is anything you need. William, Patti, Kathryn and Jack Autry
- William and Patti Autry, Savannah, GA
To The Spellman Family We send our deepest condolsences to you and your family.The community of Savannah has definetly lost a strong man.Just know that he will forever be rememebered as the leader and coach of many achievements and honors.Our prayers are with you.Be stay fast in the words of the Lord.
- The Counihan Family, Savannah, GA
Our deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of Coach Spellman's family. His passing is the end of an era in which he touched so very many lives. He will always be remembered as one of the 'greats.' May God bless and comfort you during this time.
- Jeannie and Robert Smith, Savannah, GA
I am 68 now and still have many wonderful memories of Coach Spellman.As a teen at Commerical he coached me in football and set discipline goals in my life that have carried on through my 12 yrs in the US Marine Corp and remained with me through my business career. I'll never forget when me and my 2 brothers played football under Coach Spellman, our Mother never wanted us to play for fear of us being hurt.Coach Spellman would come to our home to talk her into letting us play! These are memories that have impacted my life and I have valued them.Coach Spellman's memory will remain with me until we meet again inside those Pearly Gates.
- Homer E. Wiggins, Townsend, GA
John, Now I know where you got that ability to play football! Your father was obviously a special guy from reading his obituary. It is my loss that I did not get to know him during his lifetime. I am so glad that you had special time with him before he passed. I am sure it gave you a great deal of comfort knowing that he went in peace with a smile on his face. We all should be so lucky. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Sincerely, Tommy Sharpley
- Thomas L. Sharpley Jr., Savannah, GA
John, Tom Sharpley just shared the sad news about your Dad. I am very sorry. He did say; however, that you had some incredibly meaningful time with your Dad right at the end, and I know that was such a blessing. In reading his obituary, our generation has a lot to live up to in order to come close to filling the shoes of those like your Dad. My deepest sympathies, Mark Watson
- Mark Watson, Atlanta, GA
I graduated from Commercial High School in 1957. Coach Spellman was my coach for 3 years. There could not have been a better role model. He loved God, his family, and his community. By his example he taught us all what good character means.
- Tom A. Edenfield, Savannah, GA
I thought a lot of Coach Spellman.
- Bob Doty, Savannah, GA
This wonderful person who shared so much with so many will never die; he will remain in the souls amd hearts of all those he touched forever. His inspiration and devotion to ensuring that those he touched would be able to achieve the things in life that were worth while and good. He was especially close to me because he gave me so much advice while I attended school and later after I went into the Marine Corps. I would see him from time to time and really enjoyed the visits. We will miss you my friend and keep you in our hearts forever. We have your entire family in our prayers. We love you Coach!! Buck and Ellie
- Buck and Ellie Bourne, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
- Sonny & Cecelia Seiler, Savannah, GA
Dear Spellman Family, My deepest sympothy goes out to your family on your loss. Mr Spellman was a very godly man I have known him all of my life. I met Mr. Spellman when I was a very young child through my grandparents Norma and Denny Downing, and my Father Paul Downing Sr. May GOD Bless all of ya'll.
- paul dennis downing jr, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you-M.A. was truly loved and respected by the Herb family- our deepest sympathies Dee Herb and Family
- Dee Herb, tybee island, GA
John and Family, MA was a wonderful man who touched a lot of lives in so many ways. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten and will live on in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family and you have our deepest condolences. God bless and rest assured he is nestled comfortably in God's hands.
- The Roush Family, Savannah, GA
He was one great guy, he was a kind and true gentleman. My life was better just knowing him. we will all miss him and never forget him. I am proud to call him friend.
- Dennis Mataxas, Savannah, GA
Thanks for the memories.
- Vernon Deal, Statesboro, GA
John, Many times Brian told us that your dad was a good man. Please accept our sympathies.
- ralph and carol hamner, hot springs village, AR
My deepest condolences to the family of this fine man.
- Barbara H. McCoy, Savannah, GA
All of our thoughts are with you and your family, John. Rusty and Patty Lavely
- Rusty and Patty Lavely, Savannah, GA
John, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but it seems that he left his mark on you! Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Greg
- Greg Sutlive, Savannah, GA
We've never known a nicer man. He will be greatly missed. Our Deepest Sympathy,
- Willie and Jean Remley, Savannah, GA
Dr. Spellman and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your father was a great gentleman and I feel so fortunate to have known him. Jim & Bobbie Lynes
- Jim Lynes, Richmond Hill, GA
Dear Spellman Family: Our deepest sympathies to you all. No one who knew 'Coach' will ever forget him, and we were all improved by his friendship, smile and spirit. Rusty & Roxanne Fleetwood and Family.
- William Fleetwood, Tybee Island, GA
John, Sherri, Sean, and Elise, Our deepest condolences are with you at this time. ALthough we did not know Mr.Spellman personally, my father could not say enough nice things about him. Obviously, he was a fine man to have as a father and friend. Please let us know if there is anything you need. William, Patti, Kathryn and Jack Autry
- William and Patti Autry, Savannah, GA
To The Spellman Family We send our deepest condolsences to you and your family.The community of Savannah has definetly lost a strong man.Just know that he will forever be rememebered as the leader and coach of many achievements and honors.Our prayers are with you.Be stay fast in the words of the Lord.
- The Counihan Family, Savannah, GA
Our deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of Coach Spellman's family. His passing is the end of an era in which he touched so very many lives. He will always be remembered as one of the 'greats.' May God bless and comfort you during this time.
- Jeannie and Robert Smith, Savannah, GA
I am 68 now and still have many wonderful memories of Coach Spellman.As a teen at Commerical he coached me in football and set discipline goals in my life that have carried on through my 12 yrs in the US Marine Corp and remained with me through my business career. I'll never forget when me and my 2 brothers played football under Coach Spellman, our Mother never wanted us to play for fear of us being hurt.Coach Spellman would come to our home to talk her into letting us play! These are memories that have impacted my life and I have valued them.Coach Spellman's memory will remain with me until we meet again inside those Pearly Gates.
- Homer E. Wiggins, Townsend, GA
John, Now I know where you got that ability to play football! Your father was obviously a special guy from reading his obituary. It is my loss that I did not get to know him during his lifetime. I am so glad that you had special time with him before he passed. I am sure it gave you a great deal of comfort knowing that he went in peace with a smile on his face. We all should be so lucky. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Sincerely, Tommy Sharpley
- Thomas L. Sharpley Jr., Savannah, GA
John, Tom Sharpley just shared the sad news about your Dad. I am very sorry. He did say; however, that you had some incredibly meaningful time with your Dad right at the end, and I know that was such a blessing. In reading his obituary, our generation has a lot to live up to in order to come close to filling the shoes of those like your Dad. My deepest sympathies, Mark Watson
- Mark Watson, Atlanta, GA
I graduated from Commercial High School in 1957. Coach Spellman was my coach for 3 years. There could not have been a better role model. He loved God, his family, and his community. By his example he taught us all what good character means.
- Tom A. Edenfield, Savannah, GA
I thought a lot of Coach Spellman.
- Bob Doty, Savannah, GA
This wonderful person who shared so much with so many will never die; he will remain in the souls amd hearts of all those he touched forever. His inspiration and devotion to ensuring that those he touched would be able to achieve the things in life that were worth while and good. He was especially close to me because he gave me so much advice while I attended school and later after I went into the Marine Corps. I would see him from time to time and really enjoyed the visits. We will miss you my friend and keep you in our hearts forever. We have your entire family in our prayers. We love you Coach!! Buck and Ellie
- Buck and Ellie Bourne, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
- Sonny & Cecelia Seiler, Savannah, GA
Dear Spellman Family, My deepest sympothy goes out to your family on your loss. Mr Spellman was a very godly man I have known him all of my life. I met Mr. Spellman when I was a very young child through my grandparents Norma and Denny Downing, and my Father Paul Downing Sr. May GOD Bless all of ya'll.
- paul dennis downing jr, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you-M.A. was truly loved and respected by the Herb family- our deepest sympathies Dee Herb and Family
- Dee Herb, tybee island, GA
John and Family, MA was a wonderful man who touched a lot of lives in so many ways. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten and will live on in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family and you have our deepest condolences. God bless and rest assured he is nestled comfortably in God's hands.
- The Roush Family, Savannah, GA
He was one great guy, he was a kind and true gentleman. My life was better just knowing him. we will all miss him and never forget him. I am proud to call him friend.
- Dennis Mataxas, Savannah, GA
Thanks for the memories.
- Vernon Deal, Statesboro, GA
John, Many times Brian told us that your dad was a good man. Please accept our sympathies.
- ralph and carol hamner, hot springs village, AR
My deepest condolences to the family of this fine man.
- Barbara H. McCoy, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
