Anthony Abbott

Tony was born on June 25, 1946 in Sherburne, NY to Joseph & Fannie (Harp) Abbott. Tony graduated from Sherburne High School in 1965 where he excelled in Football, Baseball and Wrestling. Tony continued his education at Adirondack College for his freshman year. He realized he was too close to home so he transferred to Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota on a wrestling scholarship where he continued his wrestling prowess. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education as well as his initial certification to begin his teaching career. He would later attain his permanent teaching certificate.

Upon graduation from Yankton he took a teaching and coaching position at Henninger High School in the Syracuse, NY area. After being away from home for a while Tony had a yearning to return to his roots and an opportunity presented itself at Oxford Academy High School in Oxford, NY just south of his hometown of Sherburne. Tony began his teaching and coaching legacy at Oxford Academy on September 1, 1971 and ended it 29 years later in July of 2000.

He was married and devoted to Janice (Jan) Signor Abbott since they married on November 28, 1992, and is survived by her. He had and is survived by two stepsons Todd Race and spouse Tracey Race of Daytona Beach, FL and Eric (Rick) Race and Christine Race of Oxford, NY. Tony has five (5) grandchildren, Alexis (Lexi) Race, Zackery (Zack) Race, Hudson Race, Margaret (Maggie) Race and Reagan Race and one great grandchild Beckett Race.

Also surviving are Tony’s sisters Winnie Mitchell of Utica, NY, Judy Lawrence of Sherburne NY, Sister-in-law Lennie Abbott of Westchester, OH and brother-in-law Gordon Monroe of Midland, NC as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. He was fondly called ‘Unc’ by the nieces and nephews.

Tony was predeceased by his parents Joseph & Fannie, brother Fred (1988), sister Rosemary Brown (2018), brothers-in-law Gordon Brown (1989), Raymond Lawrence (2022), Louis Mitchell (1967) and sister Ann (Gordy) Monroe who passed on the same day as Tony.

Tony had a very successful and impactful career both on the field and off teaching, coaching and serving as Athletic Director. He served as the Head Coach of the Oxford Academy H.S. Blackhawks for Twenty-Five (25) years. During those 25 years Tony’s record was 147 wins, 71 losses and 3 ties. The Oxford Blackhawks were Susquenango and MAC League Champions seven years and enjoyed 3 undefeated years during that time: (1979 – 9-0), (1981 – 9-0) and (1982 – 10-0), under Tony’s leadership. In addition, his teams won 3 Section IV titles and one Bowl Championship. In 1982 Coach Abbott was selected and given the high honor of the New York State Football Coach of the Year.

Tony was considered one of the outstanding innovators in the sport of football in Section IV of New York. He was the first coach in the Section to use the triple option which he learned at Henninger High School under Ed Decker. Tony was inducted into the NYS Section IV Hall of Fame in 2010. On September 20 of 2013 the Oxford School District honored Tony with the renaming of the Blackhawk Football Stadium to the Tony Abbott Field, a fitting honor for the positive and highly impactful mentoring, influence, leadership, guidance and contributions Tony made on the unquantifiable number of students, athletes and peers that he engaged, interacted with and dedicated time to.

Tony was very active in the sport of wrestling and became the “Voice of the Section IV Wrestling Tournament” for many years. He served as the Director of the Clyde Cole Wrestling Tournament, one of the premier wrestling tournaments in New York State, from 1973 to 1999 and had the tournament dedicated to him in 1986.

In the classroom Tony was an outstanding educator and was selected “Teacher of the Year” twice during his tenure at Oxford.

When Tony did have some spare time, he enjoyed playing in the Norwich Fast Pitch Softball League as a catcher for the Wehrlis team. Golf was also near and dear to his heart and became his outdoor and athletic passion in his post-retirement years. There is really no telling how much he played, but he would gladly share the stories of his three Hole-in-ones he had and his many outings with “his boys & girls”.

In addition to all his accomplishments in life, Tony can best be remembered for his smile, bellowing “stop in your tracks” voice and outgoing personality. He particularly enjoyed family get-togethers and catching up with former students. He will always be remembered as a joy to be around and ever the NY Football Giants and LA Dodger fan.

There will be no formal memorial service. A celebration of life is being planned for the summer of 2024 to celebrate and remember the life of Tony Abbott (details to come). In lieu of flowers or other remembrances there will be a Scholarship established in Tony’s name by his stepsons Todd and Rick Race. Donations for the scholarship fund can be made out to Oxford Scholarship Fund (in notes/for line please write Tony Abbott Scholarship) and sent to Oxford Scholarship Fund, PO Box 192, Oxford, NY, 13830.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leefhandcrematory.com for the Abbott family.