Birth date: Mar 13, 1942 Death date: Jul 11, 2022
Albert A. Nastasi, Jr. claimed his eternal reward on Monday, July 11, 2022 following a brief and intense battle with cancer. Al was born on March 13, 1942 in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Albert A. Nastasi, Sr. and Norma Beno Read Obituary
I just heard of Coach Nastasi's joining our Lord. I was a freshman on his undefeated '77 team and he left several indelible marks in my young life. The following are just two of many.
As a coach, coach Nastasi conducted himself in an infectious way that made you want to please him and hopefully get his approval! These heartfelt story conveys that meaning. Toward the ending of a game we were beating the team enough they started placing all the nonstarters in the game. I was playing DE and the QB dropped back to pass and I got to nailed him! While jogging off the field I noticed coach Kytle pulling coach Nastasi's arm to take notice of the question he was going to ask me. The question was, "Hey Muñoz were you going for the ball or the QB?" I quipped, the QB of course! They both broke down laughing, I mean real stomach grabbing laughter! You see they had driven in me so much to ferociously go after the QB that I didn’t even think about blocking k ball Instead, I was trying to take the QB out of the game! The question answered the mentality they instilled without ever saying it.
Keep in mind tackle football was when QB’s were tackeled like everyone else and no one ever ran out of bounds or slid to avoid being tackled. At the time I didn’t get why the laughing but boy it made my week knowing I got his approval!
Coach as a man. After practices I would go into the small comfine coaches office just to hang out and listen to the coaches mess around and sometimes us players. One of the assistant’s started to kick me out as well as to barr me from coming back. Then coach Nastasi quietly motioned to the assistant, by gesturing his finger over his mouth inferring to let me stay. I never forgot how he treated me like an individual by recognizing this spit kid on the bottom of the totem pole had a need to be there. I can’t explain publicly why nor how Coach Nastasi knew I needed to be there but I can affirm he was spot on!
Coach Nastasi’s retired from head coaching after that season but his indelible presences left on me has lasted all these years. God has blessed us for having a man like coach Nastasi cross our paths!
That was a fun football season! Ricky Muñoz
Sending my condolences to the family of Coach Nastasi, and praying for the repose of his soul.
He was my wonderful track and cross country coach at East Jefferson. I know he will be missed. He was a great coach and a great man.
Sharon- I am so sorry for your loss. My son, Ethan, loved Al. Please know I am thinking of you and your family and send my love.
Robin Rodriguez
Riding the causeway back and forth to and from EAST JEFF HIGH w Al and Rusty for a year after I moved to Mandeville
Find memories
RIP my friend!
My sincere condolences to the family on the loss of such a wonderful man. I'm so glad my boys experienced his influence at Saint Paul's. May he rest in peace. ~Tara Holliday Paille
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Al. Sharon and the family, I will pray for you and for Al. May God give you the strength to get through this.
Al and family, I am very sorry for your loss. I will be out of town for the service but praying for all. Bill Myers
Thanks Mr. Nastasi for your legacy. “Carve your name on hearts,not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” Shannon Adler
Over the course of a lifetime a man plays a variety of roles: son, brother, friend, buddy, husband, father. For me, Coach Nastasi played another very, very important role in my life. He was my coach and my inspiration. He saw strength in me that I couldn’t see in myself and he inspired me to grow even stronger. If you were his parent, sibling, wife, or child, I’m very sorry for your loss. Perhaps in time, after your pain dies down a bit, you’ll feel comforted by the gifts that he left behind because Coach Nastasi was a man who touched so many lives in such profound ways and I feel certain that he lives on in the hearts of many. Thank you Coach Nastasi!
Coach Nastasi,was a great coach, gifted with an ability to unlock what was hidden in his students. He saw in us things we couldn’t see in ourselves and didn’t give up until we could see it. This gift was obvious, part of the fiber of Coach Nastasias. You perceived it immediately, once in his presence, a sort of magnetic effect of his personality. Great coaches are born, not made. He was the man who held the key for so many young ones. He transformed us into better athletes than we ever thought we could be, better people than we thought we could be and, by so doing, made this world a better place. I am forever indebted to him. My sincere sympathy for the family and loved ones of Coach. He will be missed and never forgotten.
