Obituary of Edwin Theodore LaRock

Sodus – Edwin Theodore LaRock entered into rest on Saturday, January 9, 2010 in his 69th year. Ed, “Coach” as he was affectionately called by students and friends, is survived by his nieces Kimberly (Phil) Stanfield of Surprise, Arizona; Elizabeth (Rod) Enders of Queen Creek, Arizona; nephew Patrick (Cindy) Williams of Irving, Texas; three great - nephews, Tyler Brown of Sodus, and Jacob and Nicholas Enders of Arizona, and his loving companion Sport. Ed is predeceased by parents Theodore D. LaRock and Virginia Donovan LaRock and his sister Roberta L. Williams. Born in Tampa, Florida, Ed attended Catholic schools there until his family moved to Sodus in 1952. Ed earned a Regent’s Diploma from Sodus Central in 1958. He attended the State University of Brockport and earned a BS in Health, Physical Education and Recreation with a minor in Science. From SUNY Brockport he later earned a Master of Science. In 1962 Ed began his teaching career as physical education teacher and director of athletics at Saint John Kanty Prep in Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1964 he joined the staff of Sodus Central School where over the next 33 years he helped shape the lives of many of the students who were fortunate enough to have him as a teacher or coach. While at Sodus Ed was head basketball and baseball coach, physical education and science teacher and athletic director. He held numerous other positions as Assistant County Basketball Chairman, Treasurer of Central Western Zone of CAHPER, Section V Baseball Chairman, President of CW Zone Council of Administrators of HPER. His expertise as a coach was also recognized by his peers when he was awarded Class AA Football Coach of the year in Pennsylvania in 1962, Section V Basketball –Class A- Coach of the Year 1972-1973, 1973-1974 and 1975-1976. He also received the Outstanding Coach Award from the New York State Coaches Association in 1975. To students, though, Coach was a man who unselfishly devoted his entire life to the youth of Sodus and its athletics. Ed instilled in his players a sense of sportsmanship first and then lots of hustle. The players and parents of those great championship teams will always remember the excitement and roar of the fans at the War Memorial or Silver Stadium as he coached teams to Section V Championships. But many who did not play on those teams remember Coach as one person to whom they could take any problem. He became a second Dad to many. For Ed being “Dad” to twenty-four exchange sons from Europe and South America gave him some of his greatest family experiences and fulfillment. Anyone entering Ed’s home knows the love and devotion he felt for “his boys;” all of their portraits take up one wall of his family room. During the past few months some of these young men and their parents have traveled to Sodus to visit with him. Sports legends are not always those who run the fastest, get the most hits, or score the most points. Sometimes a sports legend is the one who has encouraged you to play hard, play fair and be a good team member. The community of Sodus lost a sports legend when Ed LaRock passed away. Visitation will be held Friday, January 15th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Norton Funeral Home, 45 West Main Street, Sodus, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of The Epiphany, 105 West Main Street, in Sodus on Saturday January 16th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Coach Ed LaRock’s memory. Contributions may be sent to the Ed LaRock Memorial Fund at Reliant Community Credit Union, 10 Benton Place, Sodus, New York 14551. Contributions may also be made to the Church of the Epiphany, 105 West Main Street, Sodus, New York 14551