matburn
Site Admin
Joined: Nov 12, 2004
Posts: 3458
Location: WNY |
After a year long battle with pancreatic cancer, Elmer Akley passed away peacefully at his home last evening, Thursday, July 22, 2010.
Elmer Akley started his coaching career in Section Four (Southern Tier Region) where he coached football and wrestling at Windsor High School. Elmer moved to Oswego in the early 70's to continue his teaching and coaching career. While at Windsor, Elmer produced several Section Four champions including state champion Earl Paugh in 1968 and finalists John Allen and Mike Nablinger. He also coached an undefeated Windsor football team in 1969. While at Oswego, Elmer continued to produce more sectional and state champions in Jim Matteson and his son Brian Akley. After stepping down as the head coach at Oswego High School, Elmer continued his involvement in wrestling and served as the Assistant Wrestling Coach at Oswego State from 1993-2002. Elmer was also a very well respected member of the Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association.
Coach Akley has been inducted into the Section III Wrestling Hall of Fame (1995), Canton High School Hall of Fame as well as the Oswego High School Hall of Fame (2008). In 2001, Elmer was honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as he was recognized for his contributions and received the Wrestling Lifetime Service Award. This past year, the Wrestling Facility in the Oswego City School District was named in his honor.
Elmer Akley success should not be measured by his many accomplishments, but by the many lives that have been enriched by his association. Over the last four decades, Coach Akley was a great friend, coach and ambassador for the sport of wrestling.
For those who are interested the following is the information regarding his services:
Calling hours: Sunday, July 25th, 2 - 6 pm; Nelson Funeral Home, 11 West Albany St; Oswego, New York 13126; Phone (315) 343-0400. A private ceremony will be held on Monday, July 26th. Contributions can be made to the Mary & Charlie Haney Cancer Giving Fund, Upstate Medical University Foundation, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210.
If you would like to send a sympathy card to his wife, Shirley, the address is 8178 State Route 104, Oswego, NY 13126.
Sincerely yours,
Mike Howard
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Mike Howard
Head Wrestling/Golf Coach
315-312-2402
Oswego State
209 Laker Hall
Oswego, NY 13126
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