Louis R Pettinelli, Jr
March 21, 1933 - March 25, 2014
Louis R. Pettinelli Jr. (age 81) of
Brewerton, NY was born in Rome, NY, the son of Louis Sr. and Josephine (Trino)
Pettinelli. He was a graduate of Rome Free Academy (1951), SUNY Cortland
(1955 BS, 1958 MS) and obtained his CAS Certification from Syracuse
University. Lou was a long time educator who started his career at Central
Square Central Schools as a physical education teacher, football & wrestling
coach and Central Office Administrator.
In 1977, after 22 years at Central Square, the last as Asst. Superintendent,
Lou moved to Oswego County BOCES as Deputy Superintendent, retiring in 2003
after 26 years.
Lou was widely recognized as the first wrestling coach of Central Square and
as a one-time wrestling official who held many and varied offices in the
Section III and NYS Wrestling Officials Association. In addition to the 5
years Lou spent as the assistant football coach and the 5 years he proudly
spent as the head football coach, he also initiated Central Square’s
lacrosse program and acted as the voluntary head coach for the two years it
was a club activity.
Lou was also involved in Operation Oswego County, a local economic
development agency since 1978 (President of the Board of Directors from
1982-1996) and with COMCO, an economic development agency, administering a
loan fund for Cortland, Madison, Cayuga & Onondaga Counties (member
1988-present, President 1993-present).
Lou never forgot his alma-mater, SUNY Cortland. He was the Past-President of
the SUNY Cortland C-Club, the athletic program booster club, and served on
its Board of Directors. He also served as the co-chairman of the Syracuse
Chapter of Cortland College Alumni.
Over the years, Lou was honored as an inductee of several Halls of Fame and
was honored by other organizations for his involvement.
• 1987 – Inducted to Section III wrestling Hall of Fame
• 1990 – Private Industry Council “Partner of the Year” Award
• 1996 – Inducted into NYS Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame
• 1997 – Martin Rose Economic Development Award winner, in appreciation of
his outstanding dedication, commitment, vision and leadership in helping to
enhance the economy and quality of life in Oswego County.
• 1998 – Inducted into SUNY Cortland C-Club Hall of Fame
• 2002 – Inducted into Central Square Wall of Fame
• 2003 – Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association named their scholarship to
a Section III outstanding wrestler under the name of the Pettinelli-Hawk
award.
• 2006 – Received the NYS Wrestling Officials Award for contribution and
devotion to the NYS Wrestling Officials Association and NYS High School
Wrestling.
• 2006 – Inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame for lifetime support
in the service of wrestling
• 2008 – Inducted into the Rome Free Academy Hall of Fame
• 2011 – Inducted into the NYS Public High School Athletic Association Hall
of Fame
Lou was pre-deceased by his brother Patrick Pettinelli and his sister Marie
Veschusio. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Frey Pettinelli, his sons Louis
III “Ren” (Suzanne), Lawrence (Julie) and Neal (April) and six
grandchildren: Louis IV “Rennie”, Justin, Emma, Grace, Drew & Mackenzie.
Also Survived by his brothers and sisters: Delores Lyons (Herb), Eleanor
Clements, Anthony (Carol), Donald and Carol, also sister-in-law Kay
Pettinelli, as well as many nieces, nephews and their children.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the SUNY Cortland Athletic
Program. It is most helpful for donor’s to note that the gift is in memory
of Louis Pettinelli, and also to indicate the particular fund designation on
the check (Football, Lacrosse or C-Club). Checks should made payable to, and
mailed to the Cortland College Foundation, SUNY Cortland; PO Box 2000,
Cortland, NY 13045.