SHS Tennis Courts Named for Late Teacher, Coach

-

The Board of Education is naming the Southington High School tennis courts in memory of Robert Garry, tennis coach and retired math teacher who died unexpectedly at the age of 66 last year.

-

At its Jan. 28 meeting, the school board unanimously accepted the recommendation of the Tennis Naming Committee, led by retired SHS Social Studies teacher and tennis coach Richard Marietta, to name the courts for Mr. Garry.

-

Marietta was the first coach of the boys' tennis team. He was succeeded by Mr. Garry, who later became the girls' tennis coach. The effort to name the tennis courts, which replaced the old courts as part of the 2006-2007 construction of the Vo-Ag facility, was guided by Marietta, SHS Math teacher Steven Victor and local businessman Ed Kalat. All were friends of Mr. Garry and shared his passion for tennis.

-

Mr. Garry was a teacher at John F. Kennedy Junior High School for 17 years when he moved to SHS in 1983. He retired in 2001 and at the time of his death on June 3, was the coach of the girls' tennis team. His wife, Nancy Garry, is a math teacher at the high school.

-

The courts will officially be dedicated at 3 p.m. on April 5, 2010.