Saratoga Springs, NY - Raymond A. "Coach" Waldron, 80, passed away Friday, August 17, 2012 at his Patricia Lane residence, surrounded by his family. Born on April 5, 1932 in Mechanicville, NY, the fifth child of Hawley and Carolyn Sipperly Waldron, he was a lifelong resident of Saratoga County, graduating from Mechanicville High School in 1950. He served as an Infantryman in the US Army and fought in the Korean War, defending Pork Chop Hill with the 25th Infantry Division. Following his service Ray graduated from Ithaca College in 1958. Employed by the Saratoga Springs City School District from 1958 through 1996 as a Physical Education teacher and later as the Athletic Director, Ray also coached football, wrestling, track and field, baseball and bowling during his tenure at Saratoga and was the first inductee in the Saratoga Springs High School Hall of Fame in 2009. Encouraging our youth to be active in the local community, Ray was the founder of the Saratoga Springs Pop Warner Football program and Chairman of Boys State for 20 years. He also directed Saratoga's Punt, Pass and Kick program and the Elks Hoop Shoot and served as the chairman of Biddy Basketball for ten years. Honors received in the athletic community include New York State Athletic Director of the year in 1988, Capital District Athletic Director of the Year in 1990, Man of the Year, Capital District Wrestling Officials Association in 1992 and Honorary Life Member of the Capital District Wrestling Officials Association. Always promoting Saratoga and its surrounding attractions, Ray brought the New York State Athletic Administrators' Association convention to Saratoga Springs in 1985 which has been held here ever since. For their efforts, both Ray and his wife Carol were selected for the 1992 Hometown Hero by the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau. Ray served as a New York State Parks Commissioner of Capital District State Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation since 1998. Ray was a 53 year member and Past Exalted Ruler (1975) of Saratoga-Wilton B.P.O. Elks Lodge 161, a member of Gurtler Bros. Post 420 VFW, American Legion Adirondack Post 70 and served as a Republican committeeman in Saratoga County. His most recent leadership position was as Commander of the Adirondack Chapter of the Korean War Veterans and he was honored to serve as Grand Marshall for the Saratoga-Wilton Elks 2012 Flag Day parade this past June. He was a communicant of St. Clement's Church. Survivors include his wife of over 50 years, the former Carol Fitzpatrick; children Kathy (David) Scarbalis, Joe (Mary), Raymond Jr. (Colleen), Bryan (Sue), William and Meghan (Jeff) Allen; several grandchildren and great grandchildren and his siblings, Hawley (Jeanne), Terry (Kay), Elizora (late Albert) Conway, Thomas (late Patricia), Richard (late Judy), Earl (Heidi). Ray was preceded in death by brothers David (late Rita) and Frank (Nancy) and a sister Carolyn (late Louis) Herman. Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 8pm Monday, Aug. 20, 2012 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Tuesday in St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave., by the Rev. Neil Draves-Arpaia. Interment with military honors will be conducted at 12noon Tuesday at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Memorials may be made in his name to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street or to St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com. Members of the Korean War Veterans will meet at 4pm Monday at the funeral home and members of Saratoga-Wilton Elks will meet at 6:30pm at the funeral home for services.