Some of the following text was derived from theobituary published, January 24, 2018:

John ("Jack") A. Hay, 89, a popular phys. ed. teacher and coach for many years at our school, passed away at home in Maplewood, NJ, on January 21, 2018.

In 2011, Jack Hay was honored by OHS' Athletic Hall of Fame by his induction into its "Circle of Pride."  In the induction booklet, it was written that Hay:

"... was a model of determination and a stickler for doing things correctly. His devotion toward conditioning of athletes was passionate, exuberant and contagious. This passion was integral in his coaching. He guided the Sailors to many team and individual championships. Hay was the varsity wrestling coach from 1956 through 1972, winning the league championship in 1962. ... As varsity cross-country coach, he won consecutive County Championships in 1962 and 1963. In 1976, he established the first varsity [girls'] softball program. Five years later, he saw the fruits of the seeds he sowed as the girls won the County Championship, beating out 56 other schools."

Jack received his undergraduate and masters degrees from SUNY— Cortland and served in the US Army during the Korean War. He authored the Weight Training Manual published in 1960 by the New York State Department of Education, which he considered one of his proudest accomplishments.

In retirement, Jack became a financial planner, the founder and president of Asset Fund Allocation Inc. located in Oceanside, but throughout the reminder of his life, he continued to treasure the connections he made with his students and co-workers at OHS. 

Coach Hay was an enthusiastic guest at several of our class reunions, where the following photos were taken:

                                      2000: Clowning around with (the now late) faculty guests, Frank Mangiapane and
                                                                Marian Musante

       2010: Dancing with a classmate's wife                                             2010: Chatting with a classmate

Coach Hay was a family man whose daughter, Kathy (OHS, class of '81), posted the following touching words on her Facebook page shortly after his passing, along with a number of their family photos:

"My wonderful father, Jack Hay, passed yesterday. My dad was a role model who taught me to believe in myself, to work hard, and to enjoy the gifts that life brings. Although it is with immense sadness that I acknowledge that he is no longer with us, I want to celebrate the wonderful and long life that he was blessed to enjoy. I love you, Dad."

Copyright © 2018 by Howard B. Levy and 1960 Sailors Association Inc. All rights reserved.