Lacrosse coach Walter Glenn, 73

Longtime teacher and lacrosse coach Walter Glenn passed away last Thursday morning from medical complications. Glenn, 73, was hospitalized three months ago for an infection, and remained so until his death.
He’s survived by his wife of 51 years, Ruth, 73; and their four children: Sandy, 45; Lisa, 41; Robert, 40; and Brian, 39. At a funeral Monday, Glenn was fondly remembered as a caring father, loving husband and passionate coach.
“There were a lot of players, coaches and referees that came by,” Sandy Glenn said. “There was a great turnout of everybody my father impacted. I was very surprised and very honored. Everybody had their own little story on how my father helped them, whether growing up with school or sports.”
Raised in Manhattan, Walter Glenn spent three years with the Marines as a sergeant. He served time in the Korean War, and was honorably discharged.
Glenn held two Masters Degrees, one in education and another in counseling, from New York University. He was remembered as a lacrosse coach and teacher. He taught math and electromechanical technology at Thomas Edison High School in Jamaica, where he was also a Dean and guidance counselor.
Raising his family in Minneola, Long Island, all four of his children played lacrosse at Minneola High School and then in college. Glenn, who had briefly played the sport while in the Marines, caught the coaching bug from his children. He began teaching the sport in the 1970’s, at the Police Boys Club and Police Athletic Club.
He started the lacrosse program at Jamaica in the 1980’s, then began all over at Cardozo five years ago, and immediately turned them into winners. This past June, in fact, Cardozo, the only Queens lacrosse team, won their first city championship, beating the two-time defending champs, Tottenville.
“He was wonderful to the kids,” said Sherri Delatorre, whose son played under Glenn for two years. “It’s a terrible loss in the lacrosse community.”
“He made my son into a man,” said Denise Daniels, mother of Brett, who played four years for Glenn, and is now a freshman at the Merchant Marine Academy. “He really guided him on the right path. He’ll never be forgotten, not just as a coach but as a teacher.”
“Walter Glenn was more than just a coach to me,” Brett Daniels said. “He was a friend and a fatherly figure as well. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Besides just helping me with my lacrosse skills, he helped me off the field, and turn into a mature young adult. I will miss him dearly.”