LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of John E. Guinan, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, John E. "Jack" Guinan of Ovid, New York died on August 16,
2011, at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, John Guinan was born in Willard, New York, on September 16,
1933; he was the youngest son of Stephen and Rose (Brennan) Guinan; and
WHEREAS, A 1952 graduate of Ovid Central School, John Guinan had
successful basketball and football careers in high school, winning vari-
ous All Lakes Region titles; and
WHEREAS, John Guinan entered Ithaca College Business School in 1952,
and later at the United States Naval Aviation Flight School in 1954; he
was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps
in 1955 and received his Naval Aviator Wings in 1956; and
WHEREAS, John Guinan earned his undergraduate degree from Ithaca
College in 1961 and then continued with his Master's degree; in 1967, he
received his Physical Education and Athletic Director's Certification;
and
WHEREAS, John Guinan was a four-year starter for the Ithaca College
football team; he is recorded in history for kicking the first field
goal at Butterfield Stadium; he also played baseball at Ithaca and
participated in the All Navy baseball finals; and
WHEREAS, In 1962, John Guinan began his teaching career at Interlaken
Central School moving to the South Seneca Central School campus in 1969,
where he coached and taught both physical education and health; and
WHEREAS, John Guinan's coaching accomplishments were extensive over
his many years at South Seneca, including, but certainly not limited to:
six Section V Boys Basketball Championships with an overall record of
307 wins and 73 losses; a Section V Girls Basketball record of 113 wins
and 58 losses; three Section V Girls Softball Championships with an
overall record of 153 wins and 17 losses; and four Lakes Region Golf
Championships where he attained 32 wins and 5 losses; and
WHEREAS, Jolm Guinan's many coaching awards include: four-time Class
Coach of the Year in basketball; six-time League Coach of the Year in
basketball; four-time League Coach of the Year in softball, and a
NYSPHAA Coach of the Year in basketball; in addition, he officiated
baseball at the NCAA Regionals, Empire State Games, and for five times
at the New York State Baseball Finals; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, the gymnasium at South Seneca Central School was
dedicated in John Guinan's honor and he was inducted into the Section V
Hall of Fame in 2006; following a brief one year retirement, he returned
to South Seneca as the athletic director, health teacher and driver's
education teacher, positions he held until the time of his death; and
WHEREAS, John Guinan had been a 45 year member and past president of
the Ovid-Willard Lions Club; his love of community and his country were
evident in his daily life and practices and his devotion and dedication
revolved around far more than his endeavors at South Seneca, which is
known by his loving family; and
WHEREAS, John Guinan is survived by wife of 51 years, Patricia; his
daughters, Paula, Karen, and Anne; his two grandchildren, Paul and Abby;
his brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Jane; and the Murphy, Archam-
bault, Joslin and Guinan families; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, John Guinan leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of John E. Guinan, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of John E. Guinan.