Hugh B. “Max” Kriever, 84, of Oldsmar, FL, passed away on January 30, 2013, at Hospice House Brookside, in Palm Harbor, FL, with his family by his side. He was born in Sewickley, PA, and moved to Clearwater, FL, in 1960 from Louisville, KY.
Max was a star athlete at Sewickley High School. He was the captain on the football and basketball teams and also was on the track team. After graduating, he served his country in the United States Marine Corps where he played on the Parris Island and Quantico Marines football teams for five years. After his tour of duty, he accepted a full scholarship to play football at the University of Louisville. When he earned his Bachelor’s Degree, he accepted a teaching and coaching position at Shawnee High School in Louisville. His last season there he served as the head football coach. Max and the family moved to Florida in 1960 where he accepted a teaching and coaching positiong at Largo High School. In 1963, he was named head football coach and athletic director. In 1968, he left the classroom to become Dean of Boys along with his coaching and athletic director duties. He left Largo in 1969 to accept the position of School District Supervisor of Physical Education & Driver Education. He began working on his Masters Degree at the University of Mississippi at this time and spent the next three (3) summer breaks there, completing the degree in 1971.
In 1970, he became the Assistant Principal at Northeast High School; in 1971, the Principal at Azalea Middle School; in 1973, the Principal at Boca Ciega High School; and in 1976, he opened the new Pinellas Park High School as the Principal. After five years at Pinellas Park, he became the Director of County-Wide School Discipline. In 1985, he accepted the position of Area 1 Superintendant for the North Pinellas County schools. After thirty-one years with the Pinellas County School System, he retired in 1991.
He was appointed to the Board of Directors with the Achieva Credit Union in 1988. He served as the Chairman of the Board for a number of years. He also spent time assisting the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in the southern United States and internationally. From 1992 until 1995, he was the Supervisor of Student Interns at the University of South Florida.
Max and Martha, his wife of nearly 62 years, traveled to all of the lower 48 states in their motor home pre-retirement and post. They also visited Alaska and Hawaii and traveled to New Zealand. Max loved his family. He was a person that touched hundreds of lives through teaching, coaching, mentoring, advising and challenging. He also instilled the concepts of having Pride, giving a 110% effort and Paying the Price in any endeavor undertaken. Being a Marine, he always kept himself in excellent physical condition through tennis, stationary bikes, walking, pushups and sit-ups. Max as also an avid reader and enjoyed watching and discussing all sports. He was a big fan of the Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers, Lightning and Storm.
He is survived by his wife, Martha; son, Blair (Joyce) of Clearwater; daughter Jane Pixley (Mike) of Clearwater; grandchildren, Charlie (Jeanine) Pixley of Clearwater, Richard (Randi) of Tarpon Springs and Katie Kriever of Clearwater; and great- grandchildren, Matthew and Evan Pixley and Caden and Lucas Kriever.
Services will be held on February 9, 2013, at Palm Harbor United Methodist Church located at 1551 Belcher Road, Palm Harbor, Florida 34368. The family will greet visitors at 10 am and a memorial service will follow at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations should be made to either: Sewickley Valley YMCA, 625 Blackburn Rd, Sewickley, PA 15143 or Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760 or online at www.thehospice.org .
Blair & Family: Please accept our deepest sympathies at the passing of your father. Know that your in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Blair & Joyce;
I went to the site to look for the phone number to call Chief and was surprised to see this. My heart goes out to you, as well as my prayers. The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to be our comforter, and that He is.
Blessings,
Howard
Blair and family:
My deepest sympathies. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Dear Blair & Family: My deepest sympathy on the lost of your Dad. Tho I did not personally know him, his tenure at Azalea Middle was at the same time that my children attended there. Again, my sincere condolences. Doe Seals, former JWRC employee.
The Largo High School Class of ’62 feels a deep sense of loss of a Coach, a Teacher, a Mentor, a Leader and a dear Friend and sends their heartfelt condolences and prayers to all of Coach Kriever’s family members…
A hard-nosed coach who influenced many young men and instilled pride and sacrifice in many.
Thanks, Coach.
Tom Calhoun, LHS Class of ’64
He was a man amongst men. A Marines Marine and the same could be said about his various posts as an educator. He always led by example and never asked you to do something he would not. He changed my life and those he came into contact with. Semper Fi, Semper Fi.
Mr. Kriever was our principal at PPHS. The day he announced that he was leaving for the county office, the students rushed to the front office. They weren’t going to let him leave without saying goodbye. What a tribute to an outstanding educator. He was respected by everyone who work with him. He reciprocated that respect to those who worked for him. I truly enjoyed my time working with him. He will be missed.
A great man, coach and mentor..He will be missed. God Bless his family and friends. I spoke of him numerous times over the years of how he influenced my life. God brought a wonderful man home.
What a wonderful, patient man. I remember high school days when he lived down the sreet from us. His family will miss him dearly..God Bless all of you…
My family moved from Chicago Illinois my senior year of high school 1960 .I was overwhelmed with the move and the new school .I had played and dreamed of being a Major League Baseball player some day .My history teacher was Mr Hugh Kriever .When a report was due I usually incorporated a sport theme.Amazing he would always manage to give me a passing grade.
Fast forward to 25 years later A customer walked into my store made a purchase by check and signed her name .Martha Kriever.Are you Mr Kriever’s wife ? I asked .Yes , she said.My thoughts went back to my history class in 1960.
Thus began our friendship meeting Mr Kriever again was a blessing What a wonderful man.All of his accomplishments
Accolades and shaking your hand like a friend.
Martha yes I was happy you sold your home with the pool
The leaves I know were overwhelming but you stood by
Thru thick and thin all the forthcoming
My wife a now retired nurse who would page me when Mr Kriever came in as a patient or for a test .I would drop
What I was doing and visit Laugh with Mrs Kriever and about her former leafy pool and “Charlie” .Mr Kriever would always ask about my daughter who became a elementary
Education teacher.My son an avid baseball player
Thank you Mr and Mrs Kriever for sharing so many things your blessings and for me a passing grade.
“Semper Fi” My Dear Friend
He was a man above all men. If I could have had the perfect role model for my son, it would have been Hugh Kriever. I’ll never forget my years of teaching under him.
We are so very saddened by Mr. Kriever’s passing. I will always be in debt to this wonderful man for his leadership, support and friendship over my career with Pinellas County Schools.
We all have hero’s and Mr. Krierver was mine. A favorite memory would when he would visit Kings Highway Elementary and join me at lunch recess throwing a football to our students.
Sally and I send his family our thoughts, love and prayers. To me he will always be MR. KRIEVER!
I so admired this man! He was the principal at my children’s high school; he was the first principal for whom I worked; he was a role model for a caring educator. He set the bar HIGH for everyone who knew him; I’m glad our lives intersected.
My family moved from Chicago Illinois my senior year of high school 1960 .I was overwhelmed with the move and the new school .I had played and dreamed of being a Major League Baseball player some day .My history teacher was Mr Hugh Kriever .When a report was due I usually incorporated a sport theme.Amazing he would always manage to give me a passing grade.
Fast forward to 25 years later A customer walked into my store made a purchase by check and signed her name .Martha Kriever.Are you Mr Kriever’s wife ? I asked .Yes , she said.My thoughts went back to my history class in 1960.
Thus began our friendship meeting Mr Kriever again was a blessing What a wonderful man.All of his accomplishments
Accolades and shaking your hand like a friend.
Martha yes I was happy you sold your home with the pool
The leaves I know were overwhelming but you stood by
Thru thick and thin all the forthcoming
My wife a now retired nurse who would page me when Mr Kriever came in as a patient or for a test .I would drop
What I was doing and visit Laugh with Mrs Kriever and about her former leafy pool and “Charlie” .Mr Kriever would always ask about my daughter who became a elementary
Education teacher.My son an avid baseball player
Thank you Mr and Mrs Kriever for sharing so many things your blessings and for me a passing grade.
“Semper Fi” My Dear Friend
Mr. Kriever was an exemplary man and educator. I was fortunate enough to be hired by Mr. Kriever as a young man at Pinellas Park High School. His leadership, guidance and inspiration was a model for all in education. I am eternally grateful for his mentoring during the early stages of my career. His “truly outstanding” approach to his life’s work made a difference in countless students, teachers and parents.
To the Kriever family, his legacy and life’s work will be felt for generations to come. Please accept my deepest sympathies and eternal gratitude.
Robert W. Smith
Hugh Kriever was a FANTASTIC principle at my high school. He was always aware of my and every student endeavor and acheivement, and he always took responsibility for inspiring us to work hard, acheive our goals, be ambitious, and most importantly, to recognize our efforts. He was truly a great piece of humanity and will still give me strength as I continue my life.
Hugh Kriever was the best boss I ever had.He was a gentleman that I had the greatest respect for. He was always there for me. Always gave the best advice. He sure will be missed.
Among the many people I worked for and with, none stood taller than Hugh Kriever. People who emulated him were better for it. If every school had an administrator like Hugh,our current problems wouldn’t as severe.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Mr. Kriever’s passing is a loss to the world, to education and to all who knew him and admired him and loved him, including me.
We need more men in this world like Mr. Kriever.
To the Kriever family All who knew Coach Kriever were touched by him in a positive way. To Jane and Blair how lucky you both are to have him as your Dad. Our prayers are with you all. May God be with you.Heaven is a much better place now with this very amazing angel.
Mary Jo and Scott
A great American and awesome Coach! Will always remeber him and the example he set.
To Coach’s Family: I learned about being a good “fan” and supporting our team from Coach Kriever at Largo High School in 1964. He shaped the values that I have about standing by your team – through good times andor bad. I think of him often at the end of a game when I am one of the ones still there. I’ve actually looked around and wondered how many of them had a wonderful teacher like Coach. I treasure my memories of him. Thank you for sharing him with all of us at LHS. God bless you!
I was in the Pinellas Park High School Class of 1984 and for the first year there Hugh Kriever was our Principal. He was the originator of “Patriot Pride” which carries us all to this day. I remember when he was leaving we all started coming out of our classrooms and gathered up in the mall until he came out. He climbed up on the wall to get a good view of us, thanked us, and then told us to get back to our education. We will never forget him.
Class of 1967, I did not personally know Coach Kriever but remember well the impact he had on our entire school. My younger brother, Tom (Class of 1971) is a good friend of Blair and sends his sympathy. The world could certainly use more people like Coach. God bless his soul.
Blair and Family I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Kriever was such a wonderful man. He made a real impact on many young people’s lives in Pinellas County including my two sons. He will be greatly missed but we have the hope of seeing him again. Your family are in my prayers.
My deepest sympathy in your loss. I have fond memories of the Kriever family when Hugh and my father coached together at Largo High School.
The influence that Coach Kriever had on me as a young man was more than he could ever imagine. He was an inspiration to many and will be missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him. The triple gaucho lives!!!!!! Rest on peace Coach. LHS Class of “64”
Mr. Kriever stood tall and proud among all men but never more so than when he was working with children. He was the “Father of Patriot Pride” here at Pinellas Park High School. I started here at PPHS the year it opened its doors and am still here. Mr. Kriever instilled a sense of pride in each of us who taught here. I can still remember seeing him in the school bookstore in his white undershirt scrubbing the shelves before they were stocked with merchandise.
There are no words to describe the complete honor it was to work for Mr. Kriever. He had our backs and we knew it. He knew everyone’s name, even the students. His love of the job was so evident and we loved him.
I have thought of him so often during these years since he left PPHS. He will always be “our” principal. God speed, Mr. Kriever. You deserve your honorable place in Heaven.
Mary Krouskos
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Thank you for being open to “our” long needed meeting. What a beautiful and accomplished man.
I had the privilege of going to PPHS with Mr. Kriever when we opened the school. He was the ideal principal whom the faculty and students admired. We all followed his lead and were successful. I wish there were more leaders like him in our educational system today. What a difference it would make!!!
What a wonderful man! All through school at LHS he set the standard for Packer Pride. We’ll never forget you, Coach!
It is with great sadness to hear about your loss. I will always remember his great smile and his friendly hello’s when he came into the front office at Palm Harbor Middle.I started here in 1986 and the Area 1 office was at our work site.My prayers are with your all.
Semper Fi, Coach! I appreciate the strength I saw in your character while you were my coach at LHS-1962-1965. Served in the Corps from ’65-’96. You will be missed by so many people who found you to be an honorable, quiet (at times), and fair example of a man, teacher, leader, coach. I pray for your family for peace and comfort at your homegoing. Bill Grissinger
Blair and Family, my deepest sympathies…What a great leader, what a great man! God is getting a truly exceptional spirit for his team.
R.I.P Mr Kriever. Any of us lucky enough to have had you as Principal at PPHS will never forget you and the way you lead by example….always a class act.
R.I.P Mr Kriever. Any of us lucky enough to have had you as Principal at PPHS will never forget you and the way you lead by example….always a class act.
Blair and family, Although I never got the privledge to speak to your father, it has always been entertaining to hear the stories you’ve shared. Thank you for letting me be a part of this time. I share in your grief. God Bless You, Martha, Jane and the rest of the family.
My condolences to the Kreiver family.
~Dr. Arnett Smith Jr., Assistant Principal-BCHS and PPHS
Blair, Joyce and family so sorry to hear of the passing of Coach Kriever. I remember him when he was coach at LHS. Our prayers are with your family.
Blair and family – So sorry you have lost a great man from this temporary life. May God sustain you.
To “Coach Kriever”; thank you for the influence on me and my classmates of 67’. Had you not been my Am. History teacher, and such a fine example of a Marine, I may not have been as anxious to join the Corps..but you inspired me. When I joined the Marine Corps in the eleventh grade on the Delayed Entry Plan, you helped me in my effort to complete school. You inspired me and my brother enough to join the Corps and be the men we are. I often thought of you in Vietnam, College, when I was a principal, and years later, in your first year of Pinellas Park High. You were there on my journey. We will all miss you but never forget your inspiration. So to you Coach, “SEMPER FI”
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HUGH’S FAMILY. HE WAS AN OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AND HUMAN BEING.
I had the honor to play football at LHS (1962) and be coached by him. He was a wonderful Coach and History teacher. He helped shape my life and make me the person I am today. I wish there were more like him today. My prayers are with his family.
Ed Interdonati
I knew that Mr. Kriever was my late husband Dick’s role model and moral compass for being an effective administrator, but after hearing the tributes at the memorial service this morning, I was smiling inside and out as I recalled the picking up the trash, the painting over graffiti, the “just do it” of carting around furniture in his car and the “storage” room on site. Special hello to Mike whom I missed this morning. I know how much Dick thought of you, too.
Mike,
I want to extend my condolences to you and your wife for your loss. We are currently in Texas or I would have delivered them personally. Mr. Kriever was one of a kind. It is rare to be respected and loved as he was. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched.
Sincerely,
Pat Huffman
We have lost a wonderful man. Hugh was one of the sweetest, kindest, gentlest men I have ever met. He always had a smile on his face and showed sincere interest in what was going on in other peoples’ lives. Whenever I saw Hugh, he asked how I was doing. He wasn’t just asking to be polite; he truly cared. He was loved by so many peple and will be sorely missed. We extend our deepest sympathy to Martha, Blair, Jane and their families. Love Bogie and Linda
It has taken some time for this sad news to reach Colorado. While I was never one of Coach Kriever’s star players, he was certainly a star in my life. There is not a single memory of my days at Largo High that does not in some way include the impact that Coach had on me. His memory and influence will be with me always. My prayers for comfort and peace are with his entire family. Rest in peace Coach, you were loved and respected by everyone. Les Zetmeir LHS class of 66.
I knew Hugh Kriever for 35 years as Blairs remarkable dad. Before I ever knew about his Marine Corps service or his status as a senior manager in our school system I was amazed that when he talked to you, you had his full attention. He was genuinely interested in your career, he would remember issues in your family. After moving away for 5 years and then returning, he picked up where we left off! An amazing memory and that wasnt his most memorable quality. As I got older, the boys came, career challenges, he always ’coached and always encouraged’ you. He truly embodied the “Golden Rule” of mankind.
Coach Kriever was an inspiration to everyone. He set the highest standards for all of us at LHS. He impacted all the lives he touched and will be truly missed. We should all strive to be as a good a person as he was.
THIS SADDENS ME IN SO MANY WAYS, I HAVE ONLY KNOWN FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, THANKS 2 DEEDIE MATHEWS. IF I HAD ONLY KNOWN EARLIER I WOULD HAVE BEEN 2 HIS FUNERAL WBELLS ON. I ONLY PLAYED ONE YEAR OF BALL AT LHS DUE 2 A KNEE INJURY AT THE END OF MY SOPHOMORE YEAR, BUT AS SPORTS EDITOR OF THE HI-TIMES COACH ALWAYS MADE TIME 4 ME. IN TALKING 2 F-BALL MEMBERS BACK IN THE DAY (63-64)COACH K WAS REVERED BY OUR SENIORS INCLUDING SPUD, JOHN V, STEVE L.,MIKE MC., BUCKY, JOHN B. AND RONNIE C, I, WE WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT A GREAT MAN AND LEADER HE WAS. NEXT YEAR IS OUR 50TH AND I CAN ASSURE EVERYONE HE WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ALL. RIP COACH K.
rip coach k from the lhs class of 1964
RIP FROM THE LHS CLASS OF 1964.
My memories of Coach Kriever go back to Largo High School. There are two men, outside of my familyrelatives and I had and still have the utmost respect for – Coach Hugh Kriever and Former Pinellas County Superintendent and Largo High Principal Nick Mangin. Coach Kriever without having to say anything made you feel important and was always a fair person, both in sports and as Dean of Boys at Largo. In 11th grade, Courtney Matthews and I had returned from the Sunshine Mall, attempting to sell ads for the yearbook, where we were running late. Always trying to be efficient with time, I suggested that Coach Kriever only write up one hall pass instead of two. Coach immediately let me know who was in charge and suggested to me that he won’t tell me what to do, as long as I don’t tell him how to do his job. I really loved this guy and am sorry I did not try to seek him out until now. To his son and fellow classmate Blair, I am sorry for your loss and sorry for not reaching out to you. Your friend and Christian Brother…Abe Azar
I was a student at Pinellas Park High School when Mr. Kriever was principal. I remember him as a very kind person. He helped me to get a student position in the student counseling office. I always appreciated that. My heart goes out to his family.
Mr. Kriever is one of those people you just can’t forget. He makes such a great impression on you and gives you the feeling that anyone can accomplish anything they put there mind to. If only our school system had more employees like him. You could tell he was there to help everyone succeed in life. He was one you could look up as a hereo and know he wouldn’t let you down.
Remembrance of Mr. Kriever, he’s been tremendously wonderful as well as his lovely wife! Had the pleasure of having him as my principal (PPHS) as well as taking care of his grands at the old Largo Highlands Rec Center. Touched bases over the years… he’s always remembered – still miss him so! God bless