Drawing of Curt Raymond by Jim Vincent.

When I was in fourth grade at the Babcock Elementary school in Silver Creek, I can remember our teacher telling us we had a new gym class instructor. Apparently he was fresh out of college (22 years old) and everyone was very excited to meet him!

As it turned out, Mr. Curt Raymond would teach physical education at the Elementary school for a number of years and eventually was looped to the high school. Thus, we would have him as our high school gym teacher also right up to our senior year. During those years, Mr. Raymond became very successful coaching various sports at Silver Creek including varsity football, baseball and basketball!

I always enjoyed his sense of humor, strict discipline when needed and charismatic personality. I played football under the coaching leadership of Mr. Raymond and Mr. Carl Benedict, as a guard on offense and a center.

But most important and memorable thing to me was the fact that Mr. Raymond taught me how to drive, as he was the driver ed instructor for summer classes! The most embarrassing part of this situation is the fact that I was a very inexperienced driver. I had little or no opportunity to drive on my own with my state permit.

Mr. Raymond was not easy on me, either, but by the time class was over, due to his patience and quality of teaching, I passed the drivers’ test at the end of the summer term. In fact, I had finished third highest in the class. I’ll never forget what he said to me when I was informed of my results.

“You’re not a good driver! You need to get out more! When you took your driving test, that was the best driving you did all Summer!”

Needless to say, I heeded his advice!

Approximately 45 years later, I would run into Mr. Raymond at the Silver Creek Hall of Fame Dinner. And the first thing he said to me was that he still had a drawing I had done of him back in the day, when I was probably 15 years old. He seemed really proud to announce this fact. Truth be told, I wasn’t really sure if I remembered it but I was certainly flattered that he had kept it all these years!

Sadly Coach Raymond would pass away more than a month ago on April 21 at the age of 86. I called his wife recently to express my condolences and we had a very pleasant conversation. Fortunately, she was kind enough to send me a copy of the drawing I did of him which he kept for approximately 60 years on his desk, framed. I hadn’t seen it since then and it warmed my heart to finally see it again!

Rest in peace Coach Raymond! You made a significant impact in my life and I’ll never forget you!

Jim Vincent is a Jamestown resident.