Stanley Slaby, Coach For Nearly 40 Years At Admiral Farragut Academy, Dies At 92

Courtesy of Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home

Stanley Slaby, Toms River, passed away on May 28, 2016 at the age of 92.

"Coach" Stan Slaby influenced thousands of young men from all over the world in football, basketball, baseball and life for 39 years at Admiral Farragut Academy in Pine Beach, America's first preparatory school with naval training. He and his wife Polly (who predeceased Coach in 2009) were surrogate parents and mentors to teenage boys from every background imaginable; they became known as "Coach's Boys". She was Mrs. Coach or Aunt Polly to her boys. Polly and Coach were an unbeatable team.

Stanley Slaby was born on April 23, 1924 in Ware, Massachusetts, to Polish immigrants, Stanislaws and Mary Cwik Slaby. He graduated Ware High School in June 1943 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy one month later to serve his country. Stan received the Navy & Marine Corps medal for saving a drowning marine in the sea at Normandy on June 9, 1944. He received four more medals before he was honorably discharged in April 1946

Stan Slaby resumed his education, starring at quarterback for American International College in Springfield MA. He received his BA in History with a minor in Physical Education, graduating in June 1952. Stan married Polly Porteores in the summer of 1952 and was hired by Admiral Farragut Academy; shortly after, they moved to Pine Beach.

He taught history and then eventually became the full-time athletic director. While Slaby coached some great teams, graduated some great players, earned Coach of The Year Honors and the admiration of his peers, his legacy is the discipline, self-reliance and respect that he taught his boys without compromise.

Stan was later employed by the New Jersey Boxing Commission; he officiated at some well-known championship fights and met many of the elite fighters of the late 20th Century. Thanks to his boys and his stature, he was introduced to many celebrities and professional athletes. Coach came to know two of America's moon walkers, Alan Shepard and Charles Duke - both Admiral Farragut graduates.

While Coach enjoyed the moments he spent with famous people, he never forgot his duty-based rise from humble beginnings or what was important in life. He was a father-figure to young men to whom he modeled the values of the "Greatest Generation". He set standards for sacrifice, team before self, discipline and honor. Playing sports for Stan and Admiral Farragut was a privilege to be earned in the classroom and through personal accountability on and off the field. You were never allowed to quit; you had to give 100 percent effort. Coach and Polly's boys graduated to distinction in the military, government service, athletics, business, entertainment and more - a lasting legacy passed on to their children and grandchildren. Coach and Polly never had children of their own. God had other plans and a much larger family to put under their care.

He is survived by two sisters, Sophie Sidote of Ware, Massachusetts and Helen Lusczynski of Chicopee, Massachusetts, along with many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, Coach's boys ask that you honor Stan Slaby's life by donating to the Slaby-Nicholson Fund at Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg FL. https://www.farragut.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SlabyNicholson_Project.pdf

Visitation will be held on from 2 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, June 5 from 2 p.m. at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St. Toms River, NJ. A Memorial Service to Celebrate Stanley's life will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 6 at the Cathedral of the Air, 264 Hope Chapel Road, Lakehurst, NJ. Cremation will be private. Military Honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.