Jerry Seckler, wrestling star and coach from Valley Stream, dies at 87

For Valley Stream-raised wrestling star and coach Jerry Seckler, the interscholastic matches were more than a sport — more, even, than a philosophy of life.

"Dad was brought up Jewish, but never really practiced" as an adult, said one of his sons, Michael Seckler, a former wrestling champ himself. "So once I asked him what my religion was. He said, 'Your religion's wrestling!' ”

Jerry Seckler’s faith was rewarded with such accolades as Long Island High School Champion two years running, National Prep School Champ the following year, three seasons at Penn State, various coaching positions and, in 1998, induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 1990, he cofounded the nonprofit Friends of Long Island Wrestling, which a year ago became the Hall of Fame's New York Downstate chapter.

Beyond wrestling, he headed, consecutively, the Nassau County Parks and Recreation and the Nassau County Office of Cultural Development for more than a quarter-century through 2001. Additionally, he owned the Massapequa marine sales enterprise the Boat Store from 1973 to 1989, at one point opening a second store in Huntington.

"There are four words that describe Jerry: ‘A job well done,’ ” said retired football coach John Anselmo, of Jupiter, Florida, whom Seckler coached in high school football and wrestling who went on to coaching positions including with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.

Seckler, of Massapequa, died March 10 at Good Shepherd Hospice at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre. He was 87. The cause was respiratory failure, his son said.

"He was a very principled guy," said Michael Seckler, of Warren, New Jersey. "It was always about doing the right thing. And he really gave us a strong, intense feeling about working hard and being competitive but also giving back."

Jerome Edward Seckler was born Dec. 10, 1937, in Brooklyn, the eldest of three children of decorated U.S. Secret Service agent Frank Seckler and homemaker Dorothy Fictenholtz Seckler.

The family moved to Valley Stream the following decade, and he attended Valley Stream Central High School, winning two Long Island wrestling championships there before transferring to the now-defunct St. Paul’s School in Garden City, where he won the prep school national wrestling title.

After graduating in 1957, he went to Penn State University, eventually becoming co-captain of the wrestling squad. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in health and physical education, after marrying nurse Patricia Roberts the previous June.

Seckler began his coaching career at Freeport High School, becoming assistant wrestling coach at Columbia University  in 1966. Two years later, he was named head coach. He remained through 1973, when he joined what is now the Nassau County Parks, Recreation & Museums Department. In the interim, he had returned to Columbia to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership.

Seckler rose to the rank of deputy commissioner before being appointed head of the Nassau County Office of Cultural Development in 1990. In those capacities and as a volunteer, he spearheaded such efforts as wrestling clinics and tournaments, events at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, the bicycle-oriented HeartRide fundraiser for cardiovascular disease research and a program to teach sailboating to disabled people.

As a father, "He was that guy you always trusted and looked to for advice and as a mentor, and who was active in your lives," Michael Seckler said.

In addition to son and wife, of Massapequa, he is survived by another son, Frank Seckler, also of Massapequa; a daughter, Jean Castelli, of Charleston, South Carolina; and six grandchildren.

Seckler was cremated. Funeral services will be held Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Massapequa Funeral Home in Massapequa. Donations may be sent to the New York Downstate Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.