Ex-grid star, Coaldale native, "Bunny" Blaney dies

September 30, 2002

H.B. "Bernie, Bunny" Blaney, 68, a Coaldale native who went on to football stardom at Duke University, died Monday at Duke Medical Center in Durham, N.C. He was the husband of Etta Lou (Apple) Blaney, and the son of Robert J. Porambo of Wilmington, Del., and the late Mary (Stevens) Porambo. He resided at 171 Barham Road, Reidsville, N.C.

Born in Coaldale, he last served as the Madison/Mayodan Recreation Department director and was retired from Unifi as the fitness director.

He moved from Coaldale in the 8th grade and graduated from Newark, Del. High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track and received all state recognition in football.

He attended Duke University in 1952 on a football scholarship and was also a member of the Duke baseball team. A fleet running back, Blaney competed against another Coaldale native, Navy's George Welsh, in games that had huge local following and national interest in the mid-1950s.

Upon graduation from Duke he began his teaching and coaching career in the Durham City school system. During his coaching tenure he led Durham High School to several Class 4-A state championships. In 1966, he was chosen as the Coca-Cola High School Coach of the year. He was also chosen to serve as head coach of two All-Star games.

He was selected by the Durham Jaycees as young Man of the Year. In 1981, he was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame, and was later inducted specifically into the Delaware Track and field Hall of Fame.

Surviving with his widow and father are his children, Robert Curtis Blaney and his wife Jodi, Bonnie Blaney Cardwell and husband Danny, and Timothy Keith Blaney and wife Beth, all of Reidsville ; also three grandchildren;

Funeral services are today in Reidsville. (October 2, 2002)