TAUNTON Nobody touched more lives in the city of Taunton and the Coyle and Cassidy community than New Bedford native Howard Howie Waldron.
In fact, there were many across the country who loved Waldron, longtime teacher and coach at Coyle and Cassidy. He was truly one of a kind.
No. 1 no matter who he met, he made them feel special, said former Coyle and Cassidy athletic director Tom Pileski. That is something that is really lost in todays society. Youd speak with him and you would think you were the only person in the world that was important. He had that ability to make people really, really happy.
Waldron died at Massachusetts General Hospital on Dec. 27 surrounded by his loving family. He was 66.
A wake for Waldron was set for Thursday inside the Coyle and Cassidy auditorium, with a Mass of Christian burial to be held in the auditorium on Friday at 11 a.m.
It is the first time the wake and funeral of non-clergy member will be held inside the high school.
[My family and I] cant be thankful enough to the people of Coyle and Cassidy for doing this, Waldron sons Eric Hayston said. He meant that much to them. He was loved by everybody and would do anything for anybody.
Waldron embodied the true warrior spirit, teaching and supporting countless Coyle and Cassidy students.
Coach Waldron was a great teacher and coach, and even a better person, said former Taunton mayor Thomas Hoye Jr., who was a part of his weightlifting team in 1985-86. He was a man that raised the standards of those around them. He inspired thousands of student athletes to reach their limits and beyond. He helped many and never sought praise. He will be greatly missed.
Waldron was born April 1, 1953, in New Bedford to his parents William J. Waldron Jr. and Edith L. (Bearse) Waldron.
He received his education at St. Marys Grammar School in Taunton from 1959-1967 and later attended Monsignor James Coyle High school (formerly the Taunton Catholic Middle School on Summer Street) from 1967-1971.
Waldron received his degree in 1975 from Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota, where he played college football with former Los Angeles Raider star and 1984 Super Bowl champion Lyle Alzado. The now-defunct college closed its doors in 1984 and is now the site of a federal prison camp.
His teaching career began in 1975 as a substitute teacher for the Yankton Public Schools. In 1976 through 1979, Waldron taught social studies (grades 7-12) for the Wakonda Public Schools in South Dakota. He also coached several of their athletic teams.
It was upon his return to Massachusetts in 1979 that he came to Coyle and Cassidy where he continued his career as a social studies teacher and athletic coach. During his tenure in Taunton he coached freshman football (1979-1980), served as assistant football coach (1981-1991), head track coach (1980-1984) and as the strength coach (1979-2009).
Throughout his career, Waldron received professional recognition for his dedication and service to high school powerlifting. He took a couple of weightlifters to the world championship and had a few that won world championship titles as teenagers.
One of the things that people dont know about my dad is that he had a large number of female weight lifting champions, Hayston said. He did not care what high school you went to nor if you were a boy or girl. All he cared was that you walked in that door and gave everything you had.
The Yankton College Alumni Advisory Board awarded Waldron the Alumni Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions in his chosen field in 2014.
Waldron was inducted into the Coyle and Cassidy Hall of Fame in 2012 and had the Warrior weight room renamed after him in 2016.
His philosophy was were going to give you the things to go on in life by weightlifting, Hayston said. By learning how to lift, learning dedication and the repetitiveness, this will give you the fuel that you can transfer everywhere else in the world. The amount of students that he had went on to college and much greater things. The list is endless.
Hayston first met Waldron at the age of 11. He said Waldron quickly took him and his brother as sons.
He never tried being a dad to us but ended up being the greatest dad in the world, Hayston said.
The city of Taunton lost one of the kindest, teaching human beings on earth. Hayston said he would take the shirt off his back to help those in need. He even gave students money if needed for their meets.
There will never be another Howie Waldron.
His impact in Taunton will never be repeated, Hayston said. His impact on the city, and in weightlifting is immeasurable.
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Coyle Cassidy, Taunton communities mourn loss of former teacher, New Bedford native Howie Waldron - SouthCoastToday.com
