Jairo D. Restrepo

Jairo D. Restrepo, 84, of Etters, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at Fairlane Gardens at Reading. Son of the late Marcelino and Graciela (Sierra) Restrepo, he was born on June 4, 1936 in Ebéjico, Colombia.

Jairo was raised in Ebéjico, Colombia, by his Father and older siblings. Graduating from high school in Medellin, he went on to become a Sergeant in the Colombian Army. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the National University of Colombia, Medellin School of Mines; he was also captain of the soccer team, leading them to a Colombian National University Championship in 1964. After graduating in 1966, he pursued a career in civil engineering, and passed on an opportunity to play professional soccer with Deportivo Independiente Medellin (DIM). Employed with Integral of Medellin, Jairo was part of the Medellin-Bogota Highway Project. Gannett Fleming (Camp Hill, PA) oversaw this project and offered him a job in the United States. Just married to AnaMaria Salom, the love of his life from Barranquilla, the two moved to Harrisburg, PA, in 1967, bought their first home together, and then became naturalized in 1979.

Retiring after 43 proud years at as a structural engineer within the Bridge Division of Gannett Fleming, he assisted with the design and construction support of hundreds of highway and railroad bridges across the country. An “engineer’s engineer,” Jairo often simplified solutions to complex problems with a fundamental paper and pencil approach. He enjoyed teaching moments to mentor fellow engineers, and valued his relationships among colleagues.

Soccer remained a part of his life while residing in the U.S. In his early 30s, he played on a Harrisburg Amateur Soccer Team comprised of diverse immigrants that competed across the state. He later participated in the inaugural Capital Area Over-40 Soccer League that still exists today, where he would play on Sunday afternoons well into his 60s. Over a span of 30+ years, he volunteered with the Redland Soccer Club as a coach, board member, and president, and helped to expand membership to more than 900 youth participants per year. He diligently served on the club’s planning committee, responsible for the purchase and development of twenty acres of Newberry Township farmland that currently serves as the home of Fusion F.C.

As varsity coach for Red Land High School (1991-2000), Jairo coached in a manner that placed less emphasis on game results, instead encouraging players to showcase the beautiful nuances of the game without fear of failure. This fostered a skillful style of play that was distinctive within the league and respected by competitors. Demanding of his teams to respect opponents and referees, Red Land often won the Mid-Penn Sportsmanship Team Award. He advocated for a fun and entertaining playing experience that influenced many former players to remain involved in soccer today.

A practicing Catholic, Jairo attended St. Theresa Catholic Church, New Cumberland, for 40+ years while living in Etters, and always made time for weekend mass. He enjoyed spending time with his three boys throughout their life stages, as a coach or spectator in athletic activities, assisting with their home projects, and playing with his grandchildren. He looked forward to backyard BBQs, a large Sunday breakfast, and sharing stories and laughs over the firepit. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading about NASA space exploration. During retirement, he enjoyed peaceful strolls with his wife, often at the soccer complex he helped build. He found great pleasure in knowing that his contributions would help pave the way for future generations of soccer players to develop and flourish in Central PA.

Jairo is survived by his wife of 53 years, AnaMaria (Salom) Restrepo; his sons, Franklin S. Restrepo (Christy) of Robesonia, and Edgar S. Restrepo (Robin) of Cherry Hill, NJ; daughter-in-law, Kassie Digrugilliers; grandchildren, Ethan, Ian, Benjamin, Natalie Restrepo, and Elizabeth and Adalena Restrepo; his sister, Marcela Greidinger (Franklin) of Colombia; his brother, Adolfo Restrepo (Libia) of Colombia; and even more nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Edward S. Restrepo; sisters Judith, Ester, Mariela, and Libia; and brothers, Livardo, Pastore, Osteriego, Eladio, and Guillermo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Friday, December 4, 2020 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, New Cumberland. Social distancing protocol will be observed; masks are required. Burial and a celebration of life will take place in the future when social distancing restrictions have been lifted. Please continue to monitor Jairo’s obituary at www.parthemore.com for updates.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jairo’s name to his church: St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1300 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, PA 17070.