August 17, 2012
Saratoga Springs, NY - Raymond "Coach" Waldron, 80, passed away Friday, August 17, 2012, surrounded by his family.
Born in Mechanicville, NY, he served in the US Army during the Korean War with the 25th Infantry Division. He graduated from Ithaca College and 1958 through 1996 was a physical education teacher and later Athletic Director for the Saratoga Springs High School. He coached football, wrestling, track and field, baseball and bowling and was the first inductee in the Saratoga Springs High School Hall of Fame in 2009.
He was a founder of Saratoga Springs Pop Warner Football program and Chairman of Boys State for 20 years. HHe was NYS Athletic Director in 1988, Cap. Dist. Athletic Director in 1990 and 1992 Man of the Year in Cap. Dist. Wrestling Officials Assoc. He brought the NYS Ath. Assoc. Admins. Assoc. convention to Saratoga Springs in 1985 and held here ever since. For their efforts, both Ray and his wife Carol were selected as 1992 Hometown Heros by the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau.
He was a member and Past Exalted Ruler of Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge 161, member of VFW Post 420, American Legion Post 70, Commander of the Adirondack Chapter of the Korean War Veterans and a member of St. Clement's Church.
Survivors include his wife of over 50 years, Carol Poulin; children Kathy (David) Scarbalis, Joe (Mary), Raymond Jr. (Colleen), Bryan (Sue), William and Meghan (Jeff) Allen; several grandchildren and great grandchildren and siblings, Hawley (Jeanne), Terry (Kay), Elizora (late Albert) Conway, Thomas (late Patricia), Richard (late Judy), Earl (Heidi).
Calling hours are from 4 to 8pm Monday, Aug. 20, 2012 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Tuesday in St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave., by the Rev. Neil Draves-Arpaia and burial with military honors will be at 12noon at the Solomon Saratoga National Cem.
Memorials may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street or to St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.