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The life of Fredonia cross-country and track Coach Frederick “Ferd” Larson deserves celebration after his passing at age 85.
As a member of the Fredonia High School Class of 1970 and a member of his sports teams, I plan to join the community in honoring him as an extraordinary educator, mentor and friend at 1 p.m. Saturday at Coughlan’s Pub in the village.
Our class had its 55th reunion last year at the wonderful White Inn, and once talk faded of children, grandchildren and, gasp, great-grandchildren and of course health challenges, attention turned to a coach some of us called “Ferd.”
Memories fade a bit as I hit age 74, but my recollections of those long-ago teams remain strong.
A team member gave the coach his nickname, which was unusual in those more formal days, although times were changing as America changed. I think “Ferd” was a sign of playful fondness and a bit exotic, but respectful. Remember, Larson was a farm boy who became a star miler from Penn State. I can’t say if he really liked the nickname, but he did come to accept it, with a wisp of a smile.
It should be noted that Jack Larson, the coach’s brother, played a major role over the years.
Once a team member, always a member. Coach took an active interest in me since I first struggled to learn how to run in 1968. I often checked in with coach over the decades during my visits to Fredonia, the place I will always call home.
I was always greeted warmly, asked about my college work, later, jobs, kids and family. He was always interested in what I was doing with my life. He offered advice about my future.
Larson, I learned, did not stop caring about his students once their time at FHS was over. An advocate for improving physical education for girls, he supported the pursuits of female athletes, including one who was a competitive diver.
Coach was the rare breed of leader who saw potential in every student. Always recruiting to improve the team, Larson had a sharp eye for a boy who might appear ungainly, awkward or uncertain. But coach believed that boy could become someone who could be depended upon to give his personal best every day. And perhaps the boy could score a few points during competition.
Larson named every boy on the team during special assemblies, and thanked everyone for their work. He also contacted the OBSERVER newspaper, where he supplied the meet statistics, offering many, many names for publication.
Coach found schoolboy leaders, the types who could help him build pride and turn us into a band of brothers. Naturals or plodders, or somewhere in between, many of his boys who graduated from Fredonia High School later achieved great success elsewhere in business, the sciences and education. Others found success close to their roots.
Fredonia will always be a place of nostalgia for me and many others who had contact with this community, which remains unique today.
Coach Larson and other Fredonia educators played a major role in my years of growing up in Fredonia and later decades. He will be missed.
John J. Runfola Jr. is a Schenectady resident and member of the Fredonia High School Class of 1970.