I don't believe the Irish in Coach Lahay would want sadness at his passing but instead he would have wanted us to hold an "Irish Wake" to celebrate his life.
As soon as he left St. Mary's in 1944 he joined the Marine Corps, at the end of WW II, and I know he was very proud of that contribution all of his life. If you recall, Coach Lahay and his assistant Coach Bill Newhouse, coached St. Mary's to a city championship in 1957. I remember him leaving to get the Mehlville High School football team rolling after the 1958-59 academic year. Later he taught, coached and was the principal at Vianney in its infancy. He touched many lives and was able to coach and mentor his four sons along the way.
Most importantly, look at his magnificent family and all have stayed relatively close to one another and their parents. You don't need to say anything else for that simple fact to speak volumes to you. Coach Lahay "walked the walk" and served as a shining example of manhood and decent living for everyone he touched in his life. This calls for us to not be sad but to celebrate a life well spent.
David Schmitt
Posted by Dave Schmitt on behalf of Gary Barnett
I don't believe the Irish in Coach Lahay would want sadness at his passing but instead he would have wanted us to hold an "Irish Wake" to celebrate his life.
Most importantly, look at his magnificent family and all have stayed relatively close to one another and their parents. You don't need to say anything else for that simple fact to speak volumes to you. Coach Lahay "walked the walk" and served as a shining example of manhood and decent living for everyone he touched in his life. This calls for us to not be sad but to celebrate a life well spent.
Gary Barnett