Wetzen funeral procession planned at 2 p.m. Friday, May 1

Burial for Thomas “Coach” Wetzen who entered into rest Saturday, April 25, will take place on Friday, May 1, 2020 with a Funeral Procession leaving Ross Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. heading through town, past Wetzen Field and ending at St. Teresa’s Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Veteran’s Association.

Condolences and memories began flooding social media as news of the death, of retired Akron Central School Physical Education teacher, Athletic Director, and Coach Thomas Wetzen, on Saturday, April 25, 2020 began to spread.

Wetzen, 92, who entered into rest at Buffalo VA Medical Center, contracted Covid-19 while in a nursing home and had been hospitalized for about 2 weeks.  He was born on October 1,1927 to the late Adolph and Ada (Lotto) Wetzen.

Town of Newstead Supervisor David Cummings closed Monday’s Newstead Town Board meeting in memory of Wetzen, who he remembered as a teacher and coach and as a friend with whom he played golf and bowled.  “He was committed to his beliefs,” Cummings said of Wetzen, “He will be sadly missed.” Councilman John Jendrowski also shared memories of Coach Wetzen, who he described as “mellow” and “a good coach.”  Also sharing memories and condolences was Councilman Dr. Edmund Burke, who was a colleague of Wetzen’s at Akron Central School.

Many remember the care and compassion Wetzen had as he journeyed with his late wife Barbara as she navigated Alzheimer’s disease and his relationship with his daughter Martha with whom he shared a love of sports and inclusion, as she participated in many of his team activities fully welcomed, although challenged by developmental disabilities.

“So very sad. He contributed so much to Akron. Mrs. Wetzen was my pre-school teacher and I taught swimming to Martha,” one former student said.

“I remember when he first started and came around to the ‘branch’ schools for a game of dodge ball or baseball,” another notes.

“Such a ‘Gentle Man’. How lucky are we to have had such wonderful coaches regardless of the sports, they all had a positive impact in our lives. RIP Coach Wetzen,” still another comments.

“He will be missed by generations of students,” “He was the best,” “[He was] such a rock for so many students,” and “The last of the 5 that created such an impact – Wetzen, Scappa, Jenkins, Silvernail, and Williams,” among the memories and thoughts shared.

A tribute written to Coach Wetzen, as the baseball diamond officially became “Thomas Wetzen Field,” noted that he was “a fine gentleman, coach, leader, and mentor.  It thanked Wetzen for his patience dealing with high school antics; his tutelage, expertise and professionalism through the years; for instilling sound morals and values upon all of us that we cherish today; for making us into the men that we are and for your steadfast dedication on bringing out the best in all your players.

The Tribute thanked Wetzen for his support and for “being the man and coach that you are. It’s men and coaches like yourself – with your willingness to win and never give up – that have produced many of the greatest sports role models in this nation’s history and have inspired our youth to continue to strive to be the best they can be… and ‘keep reaching for the stars.’”

Wetzen served as the Akron Central School varsity baseball coach from 1956-1989.  He earned 230 documented wins with Niagara-Orleans-League titles in ’64, ’66, ’67, and ’75 and Sectional championships in ’66, ’67, ’68, ’72, and ’74.  He was head football coach from 1953-81 and compiled 105 wins and six league titles.  He served as an Athletic Director and PE teacher during his 37 years at ACS, as well as football and baseball representative to Section VI.

Among awards and accolades received during his career, he was inducted into the Akron Central School Athletic Wall of Fame. He was also the recipient of several sportsmanship and dedication to the game awards as well as the Niagara-Orleans League Foundation Award. He was a long-time member of the Akron Lions Club and the VFW Post 3180

Cherished father of Martha Wetzen and Anne (Wetzen) Murray; proud grandfather of Gregory Murray; dear brother of Louise (Wetzen) Williams. Thomas is predeceased by his wife, Barbara, his daughter, Lori, and brother, John Wetzen.