Long-time soccer coach and pioneer Thomas (Tom) MacDonald of Kearny, N.J. passed away Thursday. He was 80.

MacDonald was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He lived in Parsippany before moving to Kearny in 1980.

When he wasn’t coaching soccer, MacDonald was a boiler inspector for Travelers Insurance Company in New York City. He was an active member of The Scots American Club in Kearny.

“Truly was an amazing inspirational man,” said TV and radio announcer Glenn Davis of Houston, one of MacDonald’s former players. “Changed an entire town. Visionary.”

MacDonald was the former husband of Pamela (nee Verderosa) and the late Anne Quinn. He also was the brother of Norma Brunton, uncle of Mandy, Deryck and Wendy Lavelle and Nicolette and Adam Petrillo. He was also survived by his care giver Heather Farrell.

Visiting hours at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home (Kearny, N.J.) are Sunday from 2-6 p.m. The funeral service will take place at 4 p.m. Private cremation will follow.

Food and drinks will be served at the Scots Club after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Scottish American Club, 40 Patterson Street Kearny, N.J. 07032;  www.scotsamericanclub [email protected]

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.