The Peru Gazette

Obituary of Scott William “Coach” Woodward from the Hamilton Funeral Home Website

Port Kent – Scott William “Coach” Woodward, 60, of Lake Street, Port Kent, passed away Monday, April 11, 2016 at his home.

He was born in Plattsburgh, October 17, 1955 on a golden autumn morning the son of the late Robert William and Barbara (Bromley) Woodward. Scott grew up in Peru and graduated from Peru Central School in 1973. He went on to earn a BS Degree in Education from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1977.

Scott was a son, brother, husband, friend, teacher, coach, and competitor. He wore many hats throughout his storied life. Scott began his career at Peru Central School teaching history before joining Sen. Ronald B. Stafford’s staff as a legislative aide. For the past 16 years he has been employed by the NYSDOCCS with his most recent assignment as an Inmate Grievance Supervisor at Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone.

Scott’s favorite hat was that of a coach and mentor to hundreds of aspiring athletes whether they were members of his or the opposing team. He coached track & field and cross country at Peru Central School for 16 years. During his legendary coaching career at Peru, he sent qualifiers every year to the NYS Championships, and his teams won 51 league and sectional championships. In 1991 both the boys and girls cross country teams achieved the unprecedented distinction of state number one ranking in the same season, while that same girls team finished second in the New York State Federation Championship, a feat that has yet to be matched by any team from Section VII in cross country or any other sport. Under Scott’s tutelage, one of his high school athletes, Sara Facteau Dunham, set many sectional and state records and qualified for the NYS State Cross Country Championships winning twice and placing second twice. Scott was inducted into the Peru Central School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.

From Peru, Scott went onto being the inaugural coach of the newly combined Elizabethtown/Keene/Moriah/Westport (Emu’s) track and field team for four years. During that tenure his EKMW girls’ team went undefeated for three consecutive years and won three sectional titles in the CVAC conference.

Scott continued to privately mentor many runners especially Sara Facteau Dunham and Josh MacDougall. He was currently coaching Sara to prepare for the U.S. Olympic Trial Qualifiers and the 2016 Boston Marathon. Josh was awarded a full athletic scholarship to Liberty University, and one of Scott’s proudest moments was traveling to Terre Haute, Indiana to witness Josh win the cross country national championship his Junior year in college.

In 1990, Scott and Mark Elmore founded the annual “Run for Jon” 5K run/walk to raise funds for families and children with serious medical problems. This event was established in memory of young Peruvian, Jon Evans, who Scott coached in track and cross country.

Scott was an avid runner participating in several marathons over the years with his brother Frank. He especially loved running through the orchards of Peru. Scott took up cycling ten years ago and rode competitively throughout New York State for Team Placid Planet winning four NYS Time Trial Championships in his age group.

A man of many interests, Scott loved all sports especially Peru Central School sports saying he “bled Peru blue”. He was a lifelong avid Yankees and Indianapolis Colts fan. Scott was also an enormous rock-n-roll aficionado and could talk endlessly about the bands of the ’60s and 70s. In the later years he found great pleasure sitting on his porch overlooking Lake Champlain and listening to his considerable collection of music.

Scott was known for his brilliant mind, photographic memory and keen sense of humor. He loved history, meeting folks and learning all he could about them. Once he knew you, he never forgot you. Scott’s impact and influence reached far and wide, and he will be forever missed by all who knew him.

Left to cherish his memories include his loving wife, Sally A. (Signor) Woodward who he married on August 20, 2005; his step-children, Sean Morrow and companion Kim, Carrie Poquette, Dawn Pray and her husband Dan, and William Morrow. Scott was the 7th of eight siblings who survive; sisters Beverley Sprague, Cheryl Breen Randall and her husband Craig, and Bonnie Watson along with brothers Frank (Kathy) Woodward, Robert (Gloria) Woodward, Barnard (Susan) Woodward and Todd (Denise) Woodward. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Gage & Bauer Morrow, Savannah Pray and Austin Morrow, 19 nieces and nephews and special “nephew” Mark Morrow. Scott is also survived by his “adopted” brother and loving friend Duncan Payne and his wife Beata, and his special lifelong friends Martin (Marty) Shea and Lori Light. His beloved pets, Marley the dog and Sophie the cat also survive him.

In addition to his parents, Scott was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Raymond Watson.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 5 to 8 pm at the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru. A funeral service will be held Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11 AM at the Independent Baptist Church in Keeseville. Burial will follow in the Port Kent Cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Run For Jon fund. Contributions may be mailed to Shirley and Don Evans, 7 Oakdale Drive, Peru, NY, 12972.

Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru, 643-9055.