Floyd S. Greene, Jr.

Floyd S. “Coach” “Bud” Greene, Jr.

Newark—Floyd S. Greene, Jr., 84, died on Wednesday (August 31, 2011) at the Wayne County Nursing Home in Lyons.                                                                                                                                      A celebration of Bud’s life will be held from 4 to 6 PM on Saturday (September 10^th) at the August Mauer Post American Legion, at the corner of East Avenue and East Union, Newark.  Private funeral services at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and burial at Newark Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family Memorials, in his name, may be made to the Floyd Greene Scholarship Fund, @250 Prospect Street, Newark, New York 14513.                                                                                                        He was born on September 9, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Floyd S. and Nelle Blackport Greene, Sr.  He graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1943 and was named to the Michigan high school all-scholastic football team that year. Bud went to the University of Georgia on a football scholarship but after one year was drafted into the army.  He served the next two years in the US Army, training dogs for the K-9 Corps to be used in the Pacific Theater of World War II.  Returning from the service, Floyd enrolled in Syracuse University where he played football and prepared for a career in education. Over the years, he also earned a Masters Degree in Education at the University of Michigan and a Masters Degree in Administration at NYS University at Geneseo.                                                         Bud started his careers in Newark teaching physical education and health education along with coaching track, football and freshman basketball.  After one year as assistant coach, he became the head football coach for the next seventeen years. His first year as head coach, he guided the team to an undefeated season.  Under his leadership his teams attained three Central Western Conference League championships. In 1970, Mr. Greene left coaching to become the principal of the Newark Junior High School, retiring in 1983.  Both as coach and principal, he believed and taught his students to follow the rules and practice good sportsmanship.  He enjoyed the reward of seeing his players and students grow and achieve success throughout their lives.                                                                                                                              In his retirement, he volunteered as coach both of the boys’ and girls’ track teams.  Coach Greene enjoyed a reputation as one of the top track and field instructors in New York State, helping to produce a long line of sectional champions in both the shot put and discus.  Early in his retirement, Floyd actively volunteered for the American Heart Association,organizing fund raising events.                                                            He spearheaded and was a force behind many of the committees which worked to develop safe environments and playing surfaces at the sports fields at the high school..  Bud also coordinated fund raising to getting an electronic scoreboard, lighting and extra bleacher seating.  Coach Greene became a pioneer by starting the first summer sports camp for high school athletes in New York State. He was also a member of a group that launched the Little League Baseball program in Newark.         Bud had many other community involvements including being a communicant of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry, was superintendent of Sunday school and church camp director.  Bud was an active member and had served as president of the Newark Lions Club.  He served on the board of directors at the Newark Country Club and organized the Monday coffee league for many years.  He was also a member of the Newark Elks Lodge, August Mauer Post American Legion, Arcadia Memorial Post VFW.                                                                        

 Floyd is survived by his wife of 63 years, Suzanne, his children Robert (Paula) of Cadillac, MI, Joanne Brumm of Newark and Timothy (Elizabeth “Lil”) of DeWitt; six grandchildren Adam Greene, Jenna (Mike) Bendle, Nicholas and Alissa Brumm, Lyndsey and Kathryn Greene; two great grandchildren Riley Bendle and Amaia Jackson.  He was predeceased by his parents and a brother Jerry Greene.