Former Huntington Coach Passes Away
Dan Marchi, a member of Huntington High School's Class of 1969 who went on to coach the Robert K. Toaz Junior High School football team and the Blue Devil track team, passed away at home after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.
Daniel Edward Marchi graduated on Sunday afternoon, June 22, 1969. It was Huntington's 108th commencement. The ceremony included speeches by Principal Richmond Bell, Superintendent William F. Keough (who would later be held hostage in the American embassy in Iran by radical students) and Huntington School Board President Robert R. Maller, as well as valedictorian Kevin Cavanaugh and salutatorian Joshua Turner.
Mr. Marchi earned a bachelor and master's degrees in special education and physical education at Long Island University – C.W. Post College. The Huntington grad taught special education for 27 years in BOCES systems on Long Island and in the Albany area.
After moving upstate, Mr. Marchi coached football at Watervliet and track at Duanesburg. He was very active in his church, where he sang in the choir and was a member of various organizations. He loved the outdoors, was a mentor to many and was known as a man that was always willing to help others.
The athletes that Mr. Marchi coached loved him. "Coach Marchi was a really kind-hearted person who took time out countless times to help me with my weight training," wrote Andre de Jesus in an online tribute. "He was very inspirational and a good friend."
"A great man who had an amazing passion to help people," wrote Nick Fitzgerald. "Coach Marchi had the overwhelming ability to make you want to be the best person you can be. A true gift that not many people have. He made a lasting impression on my life and in turn my family."
Mr. Marchi, who was 59 at the time of his passing, resided in Wright, New York. He leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Dona, along with two daughters, two sons, their spouses and seven nieces and nephews. Mr. Marchi's brother Douglas, is married to former Huntington School Board member Eunice Marchi.
A funeral service was held at Grace Fellowship Church. Mr. Marchi was interred in St. Charles Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Marchi's memory can be made to the ALS Regional Center, 19 Warehouse Row, Albany, NY 12205 or to the Catskill Area Hospice, 795 E. Main St. Suite #11, Cobleskill, NY 12043.