Dan McGrew obit

 

Former Buffalo Bill DAN McGREW has died

He was not on the list.

Dan A. McGrew, 82, of Wheeling, West Virginia ., died Thursday, November 7, 2019 in Wheeling Hospital.

He was born April 7, 1937 in Martins Ferry, Ohio, a son of the late Harland A. and June L. Davis McGrew. He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Wheeling. He graduated from Martins Ferry High School and Purdue University and was a former teacher for Weir High School. He was the football coach at Weir High School, Meadowbrook High School, Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Chopticon High School in Md., Bellaire St. John High School, and Smithfield High School. He was a player and coach for the Wheeling Ironmen, and was a center for the Buffalo Bills in 1960. He also coached the Balzano Giants in Italy. He was a member of the Martins Ferry Elks, the Martins Ferry Eagles, the Martins Ferry Polish Club, and was a U.S. Army veteran.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Pat Komons.

He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda Matesic McGrew; one daughter, Ingrid (Barry) Morris; one son, Dan (Risa) McGrew; and three grandchildren, Brad Morris, Sydney Morris, and Sophia McGrew.

Friends will be received on Sunday, November 10, 2019 from 3-8 p.m. at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, Elm Grove Chapel, 154 Kruger Street, Wheeling, where services will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. with Rev. Joseph Augustine officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

McGrew was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1959, but in the following year was taken by the Buffalo Bills during their inaugural season, when he played in all 14 games and was their starting center. Although he ended up as an All-AFL 2nd team member, he was replaced the following year by rookie Al Bemiller and never played in another game in the NFL. He was a Purdue Boilermaker in college. McGrew went on to play on the semi-pro level with the Wheeling Ironmen. On June 13, 2009, McGrew was one of eight new members in the 29th class to be inducted into the Minor Pro Football Hall of Fame.