Horace Mann - Spring 2017 - 64

Memorials

The life of "Lom", as Coach Lombardi was known, was celebrated
by about 30 former HM students and members of his football teams
who traveled from around the country to a gathering at Horace Mann
School on June 28, 2016 that was also attended by family members, HM
Athletic Department members and HM administrators, and by former
HM teacher and Coach Chet Slaybaugh. The gathering included Doug
Henderson '76, Ian Yankwitt '85, Coach Neil Berniker, Kevin O'Brien
'83, Steven Bussey '85, Ryan Harris '84, Lofton Holder '82, Gabe Sirota
'84, Mark Skeete '81, Jeff Frumkin '82, William (Billy) Hughes '81, Sasha
Grutman '85, John Slaybaugh '81, Brad Harris '85, Steven E. Kravitz
Marder '82, Michael Limekiller '82, Mike Manucci, a former Assistant
Coach to Coach Lombardi, Michael Pruzan '83, Mike Vatis '81, Kim
Belton '76, Coach Chet Slaybaugh, Jon Frankel '82, Peter Grill (former
HMer), Paul Genzburg '81, Doug Present '82, Stephen Traendly '74,
Peter Rittmaster '83 and others.
This "Celebration of Coach Lombardi" featured a moving and funny
film of famous "Lom" moments produced by filmmaker Jon Frankel
'82. Frankel, who organized the event, asked five former Lions Varsity
football team captains-Paul Genzburg '81, Lofton Holder '82, Michael
Pruzan '83, Ryan Harris '84 and Ian Yankwitt '85-to share reflections
with the group. The speeches were inspiring, but it was particularly
heartening to hear Pruzan thank Frankel for arranging an earlier tribute
dinner with "Lom" present, so that the players could tell him directly
"how much he meant to us." Pruzan then related how Coach Lombardi
had turned around a football program at HM that, despite having talented players, had not recorded many wins. Pruzan also described how
players had learned to give their "all, whistle to whistle, every play for 60
minutes, leaving it all on the field. At the end of the game, you knew you
had done your best. You might not have made every tackle, you might
not have made every read, you probably made a bunch of mistakes,
but Lom was proud of you." Describing Coach Lombardi's coaching
philosophy Pruzan concluded, "Learn from your mistake ... Be better
because you are better than what just happened. ... We are all better for
having had Ron Lombardi in our lives; he made us better football players
and better people." The video produced for this occasion can be found
here, using the password: lomcelebration (all lower case) https://vimeo.
com/171196438__
Coach Lombardi is survived by Marie, his wife of 51 years, daughter
and son-in-law Janet and Vincent McCabe, five grandchildren, brothers and sisters-in-law John and Karol Lombardi and Bernie and Judy
Lombardi, and many nieces and nephews. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/poughkeepsiejournal/obituary.aspx?pid=180296465#sthash.
NeeLaCsM.dpuf

Gary J. Tharp, former Barnard and HM
English Teacher
Horace Mann School regrets to report the death of former teacher
Gary J. Tharp on November 1, 2015. Born in rural Green City, Mo. in
1936 Tharp first taught English in Park Forest, Ill. He moved to New
York in 1968 to teach English at the Barnard School for Boys, where
he focused on curricula encouraging the Classics. He also introduced
challenging AP courses, enriched by his studies in Shakespeare at the
Bread Loaf (graduate) School of English in Vermont. When Barnard
merged with Horace Mann School Tharp became a faculty member
at HM and a valued member of the English Department. His work on
the Faculty Compensation and Benefits Committee resulted in his
co-authoring the first salary schedule adopted by the school. Tharp

Horace Mann Magazine Spring 2017

never tired of singing the praises of his bright, funny students, and his
students remembered him as well. Decades after graduating from
HM one former student recalled, "Mr. Tharp taught me English and
Shakespeare and was my school adviser. He was kind and supportive,
encouraging and patient. I felt I could go to him when I needed help
and he always made time for me." After leaving HM in 1981 the former
teacher held various positions in New York City including with NYC
government. He then moved to Los Angeles where he worked in the
technical book world, became deeply involved with the charitable work
at First Congregational Church, L.A. and was the managing director
of the Commonwealth Theatre. He later moved to the Berkshires in
Williamstown, Mass. to be close to Tanglewood, where he was a patron,
and became involved with the Williamstown Theatre Festival, ushering
weekly and, on occasion, performing. Gary Tharp traveled extensively
worldwide. He was known for cultivating beautiful gardens and many
lasting friendships. Diagnosed with a brain tumor he returned to
Green City before his death to be with the many family members and
friends who survive him.

Paul Vincent Wood, Former HM Middle
Division Teacher
Horace Mann School regrets to report the
passing of Paul Vincent Wood peacefully at his
home in Still River, Mass. on October 7, 2016 at
the age of 76 after surviving 21 years with
prostate cancer. Mr. Wood's family wrote: "The
family and friends of Paul Wood celebrate the
life of their beloved husband, father, uncle,
brother-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather and cherished friend.
Paul exemplified to all of us how to live life every day with strength,
bravery and courage. He relentlessly fought his cancer with every
available drug/treatment that he could get, while maintaining a positive
attitude. He never willingly gave up any of his independence and resolve
to live life to the fullest, regardless of what life threw at him. He touched
the lives of many family, friends, and countless young students; teaching
us all to love one another, make the world a better place than you found
it, and to always do the best that you can, regardless of any recognition.
Paul was born on January 23, 1940 in Worcester, Mass. ... He was a
graduate of St. Peter Marian High School in Worcester, Worcester State
College, and Worcester Polytechnical Institute. He taught science in
Grafton, Mass, Newark, N.J. and finally at Horace Mann School. Mr.
Wood was married for 45 years to Mary Mahoney Wood who survives
him, along with his children Michael Wood, David Wood and his wife,
Gloria, and Jessica Ferreyra and her husband, Andrew, as well as eight
grandchildren. Memorial contributions can be made in Paul's name to
the Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place-West,
6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445 or by calling (800)-52-JIMMY (54669).

Leonard Zakrzewski, Horace Mann
School Science Teacher
Horace Mann School was saddened by the death on July 25, 2016, of
Leonard Zakrzewski, a science teacher at HM from September 1960
through June 1997. Mr. Zakrzewski, who specialized in earth science and
also taught Drivers Education, maintained a friendship with members of
the Class of 1970, and attended several of the class' reunions. Informed
of his passing by his daughter Stephanie Zakrzewski Silver '81, Class of

https://vimeo.com/171196438_ https://vimeo.com/171196438_ http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/poughkeepsiejournal/obituary.aspx?pid=180296465#sthash.%20NeeLaCsM.dpuf http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/poughkeepsiejournal/obituary.aspx?pid=180296465#sthash.%20NeeLaCsM.dpuf http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/poughkeepsiejournal/obituary.aspx?pid=180296465#sthash.%20NeeLaCsM.dpuf

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