Herman William Wyld

Herman William Wyld

GUILDERLAND — Herman William Wyld, a dedicated coach and father, died on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, surrounded by his family at the Hospice Inn of St. Peter’s Hospital. He was 82.

Son of the late Herman and Ann Scully Wyld, he was born in Albany on Dec. 14, 1932.

He was a graduate of the former Vincentian Institute, class of 1951.

After graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army, and proudly served two years as a carrier and repeaterman with the 50th Signal Corps Battalion in Sendai, Japan during the Korean War, wrote his family in a tribute.

After being discharged from the Army, Mr. Wyld returned home and attended the state’s University at Cortland, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education.

While attending Cortland, his many activities, achievements, and accomplishments, according to his family, included being selected to play on the GEM Bowl East-West All-Star Football Team, receiving the Red Letter Award for outstanding achievement and leadership in football; earning a directorship in physical education; and being an active member of the Beta Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

He went on to attend the state’s University at Albany, where he earned a master’s degree in secondary school supervision.

Mr. Wyld — or Coach Wyld, to many — took a position teaching health and physical education in the Guilderland Central School District. There, in addition to his normal teaching duties, he was “well-known for his activities on the sporting fields,” wrote his family.

He served as a varsity line coach for 11 years and the varsity wrestling coach for 20 years.

He also, his family said, “earned the reputation for being the coach who never yelled.”

Mr. Wyld’s dedication to his work did not stop at the end of the school day. Summers and weekends, he could be found in the gym or volunteering with local sports teams, wrote his family.

“Above all, Coach Wyld believed in the heart and inner strength of his athletes, and by taking a vested interest in their lives, he was able to motivate his students to succeed in all areas, not only sports,” his family said.

He retired from teaching in 1988, but maintained strong ties to education.

He led an active life after his retirement. He was an avid volunteer, worked closely with the Elks Club, and was a member of the Italian American Community Center.

“He regularly enjoyed traveling with his wife and family; loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; enjoyed golfing; and was a regular bowler,” his family wrote.

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Mr. Wyld is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Alice Ann Marinelli Wyld; his much loved children, Richard F. Wyld, and his wife, Susan, of Cohoes, Thomas W. Wyld, and his wife, Mary, of Westmere, and Kathleen M. Bond, of Waterford; his grandchildren, Daniel Francis Wyld, Samuel W. Wyld, Joseph Allen Wyld, and his wife, Kelsey, and Sarah Ann Bond; his great-granddaughter, Ryleigh Mae Wyld; and several cousins and special friends.

His grandson, Tommy Christopher Wyld, died before him.

The family thanks the staff of the 3 High Rise Unit at the Albany County Nursing Home for the excellent care that was provided.

Funeral services were held at the Hans Funeral Home and Christ the King Church in Guilderland. Interment was in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Colonie.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Guilderland Central High School Wrestling Booster Club, 8 School Road, Post Office Box 37, Guilderland Center, NY 12085, or to Christ the King Church, general building fund, 20 Sumpter Avenue, Albany, NY 12203.

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