Longtime Late Wayne Valley Wrestling Coach Honored

WAYNE, NJ — A longtime late Wayne Valley wrestling coach was honored recently.

The family of Lewis Benfatti was given a plaque in his honor at the wrestling program's annual alumni night. Benfatti taught physical education and health and coached wrestling at the Valley from 1970 until he retired in 2004.

Benfatti also coached football, track and field hockey. He died Nov. 3.

Former players and others spoke well of him after he died.

"Coach Benfatti was one of a kind. He was a great coach and a better man. Thirty years after leaving Wayne Valley, I still think of myself as one of his wrestlers," Dave Ungerleider said on Benfatti's obituary page. "I will always look back and be grateful for the special memories both he and Coach Bishop provided me."

Others agreed.

"[He] was a big influence during my time at Wayne Valley," said Tracy Crimmins. "I consider myself lucky to have had him as a teacher and thought of him often after graduation."

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Photo: Lewis Benfatti's family with the plaque presented in his memory. Photo courtesy Christine Colella