ONEONTA – Coach Thomas H. Greene passed away, Wednesday, June 4, 2008 to start his next journey and to be with his Lord. He was a proud Irish-man who touched thousands of people through out his life. Most of all, he was an incredibly kind and caring man who was devoted first to family, friends and his strong faith with the Lord.

Tom was born August 16, 1922 at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, to his parents Thomas Herbert and Jessie (Naylor) Greene. His paternal grandparents, Patrick and Mary (Fleming) Greene came to America from Ireland in 1884 from county Roscommon.

He graduated from Oneonta High School June 26, 1940. He went on to Ithaca College in the early 1940's for awhile before joining the United States Marine Corp on April 29, 1943 and being discharged on December 4, 1945. Tom later graduated from Ithaca College in 1946. He earned a degree of Master of Science, major in Elementary Education from the State University College at Oneonta on August 13, 1954.

Maybe the proudest moment in his life, he married Elizabeth Jane Barton of Schenevus on August 18, 1948. This August they would have been married 60 years. Betty and Tom have been devoted to each other from the beginning, instilling the strong beliefs of love of family, friendship and kindness.

Tom is survived by his wife, Betty Greene and three sons, Thomas K. Greene and his wife, Laura Greene and their sons, Jason and Tim, of West Oneonta, Daniel G. Greene and his wife, Rose Greene and their sons, Patrick, Connor and Keenan, of Newburgh Port, MA, and William Patrick Greene and his children, Danielle and William, of Otego.

As a Marine he served in the Pacific Campaigns of World War II. He served in the 2nd Marine Division and was assigned to the 10th Artillery Regiment at Tarawa, where they faced brutal combat before heading to Abemama. In early November 1944 he went ashore on D-Day plus six hours on Leyte as part of the forward observer group and stayed there for six weeks. They were later assigned to the Island of Guam and started to re-train for the final thrust toward Japan itself. Later they were relieved of their duties and returned to Camp Pendleton in San Diego. All told, he spent nearly three years in the Marines with two years spent in the Pacific. He was a Marine to the end.

He coached High School for a year in Springfield, NY before going to Hartwick College as a coach of many sports until 1956. At that time Tom and Betty moved to Lakeland, Fla. where Tom was the Athletic Director, Chairman of the Physical Education Department and basketball and golf coaches at Florida Southern College. At one point in time he was the Dean of All College Basketball coaches in Florida. During this time some of the most respected people in sports were friends and references, including Dean Smith, Adolf Rupp, Frank McGuire and Jack McKloskey.

1972 brought Tom and Betty to North Adam State College in North Adams, Mass., where he was Athletic Director, the chairman of the Physical Education Department, and Basketball coach.

In 1977, Hartwick College asked Tom to come back to Hartwick as Athletic Director. A Hartwick "Warrior" through and through, he remained until his retirement in 1986. Hartwick College honored Tom with the Degree of Pedagogy on September 1, 1999, for the Art of Teaching. He has been inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fames at Ithaca College and Hartwick College.

For 60 years, Tom taught hundreds of young and old to swim. In the 1950's and 1960's he ran the swimming lesson programs at Wilber Park and in the afternoons he taught lessons in the creek in Franklin. As late as last summer, he continued with private lessons.

Tom and Betty have been involved in the life of their community, serving the United Methodist Church, United Way Health Programs for the youth, Special Olympics, the Loins Club, the American Legion and Hartwick College Citizens Board.

Tom and Betty had the privilege of traveling to Ireland three times and visiting distant relatives there.

Coach was an advocate of fair play, an envoy for sports, an ambassador of good will and humanity. To this day, dozens of former players keep in touch, some as many as 30-40 years ago. He relentlessly taught, guided, instructed, counseled and shaped young people.

Last but not least, he was fortunate to have an incredible number of dear friends whom he cherished beyond belief. We love him and miss him dearly.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held at on Friday, June 13, 2008 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, with the Rev. Thomas Clemow, pastor, officiating. Military honors will conclude the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in loving memory of Tom to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.