Michael Robert Gurdineer

December 30, 1979 - September 8, 2021

Michael Robert Gurdineer, 41, of Coopersburg, PA, passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, PA. Mike’s presence among many will be forever missed. His family, his friends, his colleagues and his community will remember him for his countless hours of commitment, dedication, and love. The eldest son of Robert and Teresa (Weeden) Gurdineer, he was born December 30, 1979, at Horton Hospital, Middletown, NY. Mike graduated high school from Minisink Valley Central Schools, Slate Hill, NY, receiving his undergraduate degree from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA and his graduate degree in Secondary Education from Mercy College in Westchester, NY. He taught at Orange Ulster BOCES in Goshen, NY, at several Allentown, PA, school districts, and currently at Northhampton Area School District in Northhampton, PA. Mike was certified to teach social studies, math, and science. He and the love of his life, Melissa, were married on February 14, 2009, joining together a beautiful family, including a son Blaze, and daughters Colette, Olivia, and Zoey. He leaves behind his parents, Robert and Teresa of Westtown, NY; siblings: Marion Spar, her husband Andre, and their children Haylee, Ayva, Dylan, Aubrey, Payton and Nate of Castleton-on-Hudson, NY; Matthew and his wife Erin, and their children Madison, Lillian, and Gwendolyn of Westtown, NY; Marcus and his wife Emely, and their children Lilla and Mia of Hackettstown, NJ; father-in-law, Jeffrey Mertz and brother-in-law Justin Mertz from Coplay, PA; grandparents Frank and Lucy Reinhard from Bethlehem, PA, and Aunt and Uncle, Cheryl and Ardie McCue of Coopersburg, PA. Mike loved sports, most notably football, playing 4 years with Minisink Valley Varsity Football, 4 years of D3 football at Moravian College, starting his coaching as a Position Coach for Highland Falls Varsity, Highland Falls, NY. From 2012-2019, Mike was Varsity Assistant Line Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach for Southern Lehigh, PA. During those years, Mike was the Middle School Head Football Coach, serving four seasons. Starting with the 2021 season at Northhampton Area School District, Mike accepted and began their season as the Varsity Team’s Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach. In 2012, Mike founded the Spartan Touchdown Club supporting Southern Lehigh’s sports and running their spring flag football league. As a father to four, and friends to many, Mike was involved in, and supported, various youth organizations. Mike and Melissa joined our Gurdineer families together, creating unforgettable memories. Spending time at their lake house at Wallenpaupack over the past few years – fishing, boating, BBQing, reading, playing games, and watching movies. Each year on Thanksgiving weekend, they would host the Gurdineer Family Christmas at their home in Coopersburg, celebrating all 24 Gurdineer family members. Mike’s love of history extended beyond teaching and his love of family genealogy became a natural conversation at family gatherings. We will miss him and his love for life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Football Foundation, Lehigh Valley Chapter. Please make checks payable to LVNFF and mail to Tony Cocca, 414 New York Avenue, Whitehall, PA 18052. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 17, 2021, from 11:00am until 2:00pm at the Connell Funeral Home, Inc., 245 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, masks will be required inside the funeral home. The funeral service will be private.