John George Betzler passed away in his sleep on January 12, 2026, after suffering a stroke just before Thanksgiving. George was surrounded by friends and family until the end. He leaves behind his beloved wife of over 50 years, Helen (nee Shields), and children, Bernadette (Kevin), Bear and Brenda, as well as grandchildren Teddy, Caroline, Julia, Lily, and Reagan.  His beloved son, Brian, grandson, Connor, and brother, Francis,  all preceded him in death. He grieved them up until his very own end.

Born in 1942, George was the eldest of 7 children (Mary Louise, Francis, Stephen, Liz, Barbara, and Roberta) raised in Garrett Hill and Bryn Mawr by George and Mary Roddy Betzler.  It was a big, boisterous household filled with love and celebrations.  Family was the most important thing to George. Helen was the love of his life and his best friend. When the end was near, he whispered to her "you are my home."

George had a big, gregarious personality and made so many life-long friendships from Monsignor Bonner High School, Paolini's Tavern, his career at Western Electric/AT&T/Lucent Technologies, and the sport of rugby.  Rugby played an enormous role in his life. He started playing as a young man at the Polo Field across from his home in Bryn Mawr with a group that would eventually become the Philadelphia Rugby Club. For 30 years, George coached the Philadelphia Whitemarsh Rugby Club. He also coached the Eastern Penn Select Side, USA East, Marine Corp All-Service Team, the USA All-Stars (7s and 15s) and the USA Maccabi Team. In 1987, he was appointed Assistant Coach of the USA National Team at the Rugby World Cup. The same year he was named head coach of the USA Eagles on their tour to Wales.  He was the first American-born coach to hold this position. His storied rugby career took him around the country and around the globe. In 2016, he was inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame. It was a great honor and achievement to him, but he would always say that his family was his greatest achievement.

In his later years, George enjoyed golfing with his buddies in the TOADS and conducting coaching clinics for Norwich University. He was a lion of a man who was not afraid to cry. He touched many lives and will be dearly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited on Monday January 19th, Visitation from 8:45 to 9:45 AM and a Funeral Mass following at 10:00 AM will be held at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 1260 S. Trooper Road, Norristown, PA 19403. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.