Walter J. Reese, age 81, of West Bay Shore, New York (formerly of West Babylon) passed away peacefully on September 7, 2023. He was born to Walter and Rosana Reese on October 2, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York. Walter was raised in Elmont, New York and is a graduate of Sewanhaka High School. He then attended Syracuse University where he earned a degree in History. At Syracuse, Walter played on the lacrosse team and was elected the team’s 1964 MVP. As an educator and a coach, he had an illustrious career at Copiague Schools where he was an American History Teacher for 32 years. Walter was the head coach of both the football and lacrosse teams at Copiague High School. He was the most successful football coach in the school’s history leading the team to two Rutgers Cup Championships in 1976 and 1981, as well as league championships in 1977 and 1990. He was named Coach of the Year by the Suffolk County Coaches Association, the New York Daily News and Newsday in 1976 and 1981 and elected League Coach of the Year in 1976, 1977, 1981 and 1990. Walter started Copiague’s lacrosse program in 1970. As Head Coach, he led the lacrosse team to league championships in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1978. He was awarded Coach of the Year by the Suffolk County Lacrosse Association in 1976, League Coach of the Year in 1978 and Suffolk County Man of the Year in 1986. Walter is one of the few members of the 100-win USLCA Century Club. He also coached the Long Island Regional Team in New York State’s Empire State Games leading the team to its first gold medal in 1985 as head coach. To thank Walter for his years of success and service, the Copiague School System named its Football/Lacrosse Stadium after him in 2004.

Walter is survived by and was a beloved husband of 58 years to his wife, Marian as well as a devoted father to his sons, Jason (Christine) and Jonathan (Barbara). He was a loving grandfather of Jonathan, Christopher, Brooke, Katelyn, Bryant, and Bridget. Brother of Ken, Dick, Karen, Arlene and the late Harry and Ron, and loved by many nephews and their families. He took pride in that both of his sons and five of his grandchildren attended Yale University. In addition to teaching and coaching Walter enjoyed spending time with family and friends and playing a friendly round of golf as often as he could. The family requests that you help to continue Walter’s legacy in helping the community, in lieu of flowers they ask that you donate to a charity of your choice or to: Long Island Cares or Habitat for Humanity of Long Island Visitation will be held at Chapey & Sons Funeral Home located at 1225 Montauk Highway, West Islip on Thursday September 14th from 7-9pm and Friday September 15th from 4:30 – 8:00pm.

Long Island Cares 10 Davids Drive (Harry Chapin Way) Hauppauge, NY 11788-2039 or Habitat for Humanity of Long Island 43 Middle Country Rd Middle Island, NY 11953