Final Salute

Eugene J. “Coach” Seiling of Oak Island, North Carolina, formerly of Ligonier, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, exactly 98 years from the day of his birth.

Born in Pittsburgh and raised by the late Joseph I. and Marie C. (Kampmeier) Seiling, he graduated from Hickory High School, Washington County, May 1944, at which time he was drafted directly into the U.S. Navy. He went on to spend more than two years as a Navy electrician’s mate during World War II. As a Navy Seabee, his main job was working to repair damaged ports in the European Theater of Operations and get them back in working order after German bombing.

Upon returning from the war, he used the World War II GI Bill to graduate from Slippery Rock State Teachers College and complete his master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh. This enabled him to share his lifelong passion and love of sports by embarking on a teaching and coaching career that spanned over three decades. This career began during the 1950s in Washington County at the former Midway High School and his alma mater, the former Hickory High School of the Fort Cherry School District. In the fall of 1959, he moved to Westmoreland County and began a 30-year tenure with then-Ligonier High School. During his time with the Ligonier Mounties, he proudly taught both health and physical education as well as serving as head football coach during the 1960s. Coach’s proudest professional accomplishment was serving as Ligonier’s head track coach for 25 years. Over those years, the “Trackless Wonders” as his teams of talented and dedicated athletes were known, posted 24 winning seasons, accomplishing this record without a home track for the first 19 seasons.

Gene served in numerous Ligonier community organizations over the years, including the Ligonier Valley Recreation Board, the Kiwanis Club and was a member of the Ligonier Heritage Methodist Church for more than 60 years. He enjoyed participating in 5K runs and training and running with his grandson after his retirement. Upon moving to North Carolina in 2017 to enjoy the beach community that his family vacationed at annually, Coach, an avid golfer, continued to play well into his 90s.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years and best friend, Eleanor Meese Seiling, in 2019 and Eleanor’s sister Margaret and husband and golf buddy Donald Small.

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Gene is survived by daughter Linda and her husband, Bob Hoza, of Oak Island; son Thomas and his wife, Beverly, of Salt Springs, Florida, and the pride of his life; grandchildren, Matthew Hoza of Ligonier and Kaitlyn H. Kerr of Sumter, South Carolina, and three great-grandchildren, J.J., Bodhi and Alora Kerr. He’s also survived by sister-in-law Mary Elizabeth Meese and husband David Cagnon of Rusk, Texas; niece, Carol and her husband, David Pierce, of Corpus Christi, Texas; nephew, John Cagnon of Little Elm, Texas, and great-nephew, Nathan Pierce of Erie.

As per his wishes, a private family burial was observed in Ligonier Valley Cemetery.

McCabe Funeral Home, 144 E. Main St., Ligonier, was in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made to www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com.