Walter Stosuy, a Northwest Catholic Icon, Leaves Legacy of Sportsmanship

Before there was football at , before there was a foundation of tradition, pride and sportsmanship – heck, almost before there was a Northwest Catholic – there was Walter Stosuy.

And from football to softball, gym class to driver's education, Stosuy made an indelible impression on his students, colleagues, neighbors and friends, said those who knew him best.

"He was really something," Northwest Catholic athletic director Josh Reese said.

Stosuy died Dec. 8 in West Hartford, his home for the past 45 years, after a long illness. He was 73.

"He was just a good person. He loved – loved, loved, loved – our school," said Reese, NWC Class of 1995. "Just from [Monday's services], seeing everybody come back, he most definitely made a difference."

Mr. Stosuy was more than a dedicated teacher and coach, said those whose lives he touched. He was a loyal father, friend and mentor, a man who taught respect, valued camaraderie and instilled confidence. Even his gruff exterior was unable to conceal an oversized heart.

"When I got [to Northwest Catholic], he had already been here for 25 years [and] was a bit of a legend, even then," NWC Principal/Chief Administrator Margaret Williamson said. "He was a no-nonsense, do-it-my-way kind of guy, that was my first impression.

"But he was really friendly. He was the kind of guy who could call you a nasty nickname as a student and you would just smile and say, 'Thanks Coach!'"

NWC opened in 1961, and Mr. Stosuy arrived one year later. He was hired as a physical education teacher and was given the task of building a football program. Beginning in 1964, Mr. Stosuy coached for 15 years, going 8-2 in 1974, when he was named coach of the year by the Northern Connecticut Chapter of the National Football Foundation.

After stepping down in 1978, Mr. Stosuy returned to the helm in 1995 for three more seasons. His career record was 82-83-4.

He taught both boys and girls in gym classes and also coached softball and tennis.

"He was a gentle giant," Kate Bartlett Williams of Hebron, Class of '98, wrote of Mr. Stosuy. "I was one of the lucky ones to have him not only as my gym teacher, but as my softball coach. He always called us his 'chicklets.' I'm sure he never realized how many people he impacted over his long career."

Reese, who transferred to NWC from St. Thomas Aquinas in 1993, was one of the thousands affected by Mr. Stosuy – simply "Stos" to friends.

"He was a real winner. He was somebody who really wanted to make a difference and somebody who really cared about the kids he worked with," Reese said.

Mr. Stosuy was born in Brooklyn, the son of John and Mary (Mohar) Stosuy. He graduated from Seymour High and, in 1960, Southern Connecticut State Teachers College. At Southern, Mr. Stosuy played fullback and was named an NAIA All-American. He played semi-pro football for the Ansonia Knights.

He apparently had a profound impression on students in his driver's education classes.

"Some of those stories I would have to share with you over a beer and off the record," Reese said. "But they're definitely true. He was quite the adventurer."

Mr. Stosuy was also among the local royalty, including the late Hartford Mayor Mike Peters, who regularly played cards, shared stories and held unofficial summit meetings at the Butterfly restaurant and bar on Farmington Avenue.

"I called him as much as I could to get his opinion on our teams. He was so proud of Northwest Catholic," Reese said.

Family and friends celebrated Mr. Stosuy at a Mass on Monday at the Church of St. Timothy in West Hartford. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. After services, a reception was held at NWC's Walter Stousy Gym, which was named in his honor in 2001. Arrangements were by the Molloy Funeral Home.

Memories were plentiful in Mr. Stosuy's online guestbook.

"I will always remember spring football 1964," wrote Allen Latham (1965) of Wilmington, N.C. "I was way too small to really even make the JV team, but Coach let me practice and gave me hope."

Mr. Stosuy is survived by sons Jon and his wife Caren of Tolland, and Alan of Hartford; daughters, Ellyn "Lyn" Stosuy of Farmington, Beth Guerrette and her husband Carl of Newington, and Cara Stosuy of Franklin, Tenn.; grandchildren Jennifer and Lauren Stosuy, Alixandra Hryniewicki, Jason Guerrette and his wife Marissa, Aarika Guerette; a great grandson, Angelo Stosuy; and many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews.

Mr. Stosuy leaves a sister Sophie Potter; sisters-in-law Ruth and Adrienne Stosuy; and friend and confidant Barbara Iorillo. He was pre-deceased by a sister, Helen Miles, and brothers Anthony and John.

The Stosuy family requested that memorial donations be made to the Walter Stosuy Scholarship at Northwest Catholic, 29 Wampanoag Drive, West Hartford CT 06117.