Irwin “Brud” “Coach” Coombs, 87, a lifetime resident of Pawling, passed away Friday, September 22, 2017 at Putnam Hospital Center, Carmel.
Born in Pawling on May 9, 1930, he was the son of Irwin and Marion (Ragan, Dillon) Coombs. He served in the United States Army, and on May 16, 1954 he married Ethelwyn “Wynnie” Peck at St. John’s Church, Pawling.
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Wynnie, and is survived by his son, Irwin “Bruddie” Coombs III (Robin) of Trumbull, CT; his two daughters, Karen Bardua (Edward) of Pawling and Cheryl Coombs, also of Pawling; grandsons Todd, Chad (Gina), Evan (Trisha), and Andy Bardua, triplet granddaughters, Ashley, Heather (Craig), and Lauren (Garrie); 10 great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Teaghan, Nolan, Jaxon, Corey, Kayla, Payton, Carter, Kali, and Grayson; and his sister, Yvonne Coty of Pawling. In addition to his wife, he was also predeceased by his sister, Helen Ryan.
Brud’s life centered on his family and friends. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren playing sports. He touched the hearts of many through his 34 years of teaching (2 years in Purdys and 32 years in Pawling) and was also a coach (8 years baseball and 20 years football). Brud was named to Who’s Who in American Teaching, Pawling Sports Hall of Fame and Dutchess County Sports Hall of Fame. He was involved in the community as past president of the Pawling Little League, started the Pawling Central School Sports Hall of Fame, and was actively involved in the Dutcher Golf Course, starting a number of Leagues and Tournaments. Brud served as Director of the Summer Recreation Program in Pawling and with his wife, Wynnie, they turned it into a yearly position. He was also an active member of the Pawling American Legion Hasler-Kamp Post and St. John’s Knights of Columbus.
Family and friends may call at the Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 E. Main St, Pawling on Thursday, September 28, 2017 from 4-8 PM. Hasler-Kamp Post American Legion will conduct a service at 7:30 PM followed by St. John’s Knights of Columbus at 7:45 PM. A funeral service will be conducted at Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Quaker Hill Cemetery, Church Road, Pawling.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pawling Tiger Athletic Club in memory of Brud “Coach” Coombs at Pawling High School c/o John Bellucci, 30 Wagner Road, Pawling, NY 12564.
For directions to the funeral home or to leave a condolence, please go to www.hornandthomesfuneralhome.com .
