Albert Paul Maerz III of Irondequoit passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at the age of 67 after a sudden diagnosis of cancer. He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughters, Jeri (Damian) Rippon and Jody DuFort; grandchildren, Kiersten & Kaitlyn Rippon; Zachary, Aidan, Sebastien and Remington DuFort; and fox terrier, Newman Noggs.
Al was born and raised in Summerville, where he sold hotdogs outside his parents' restaurant, The Dutchman's Grill, delivered newspapers, and attended school at St. Thomas under the watchful eye of Sister Theodosia ("Sit down, Mr. Maerz, you're rocking the boat!") From grandfather Ole Carlson, he learned to love boats and sailing (and polishing brass).
Before graduating from Irondequoit High School, he began his hockey career playing for the Junior Amerks. During the Vietnam War, Al served in the Army as an M.P., returning home to earn his B.A. and M.A. from SUNY Brockport, where he played hockey for the Golden Eagles.
As a career teacher in West Irondequoit, Al taught physical education at every grade level, introducing his students not only to traditional activities, but also to table tennis, archery, and square dancing.
However, Al is perhaps best remembered as a coach of soccer, lacrosse, and hockey, for which he was inducted into the NYS High School Hockey Assc. Hall of Fame in 2001; his plaque hangs in the Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid. Many of his former players have become coaches, and all of them still share and embellish memories of Coach Maerz that have become the stuff of Irondequoit folklore.
In the summer, Al lived on his sailboat (Kililani, Joanie B. I and II) and was welcomed in ports around Lake Ontario, especially Cobourg, Ontario, where he was the only American member of the Cobourg Yacht Club and a lunchtime denizen of Kelly's Homelike Inn. He also served as chaplain of the Ira Jacobsen Post of the American Legion, delivered Meals on Wheels several days each week, and supported the Irondequoit Community Cupboard, Cornell Women's Hockey, Geva Theatre, and WXXI (he seldom missed Diane Rehm).
His family will receive friends MONDAY 1-3pm & 6-9pm at the funeral home (570 Kings Hwy South).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Meals on Wheels 2180 Empire Blvd, Webster, NY 14580 or Irondequoit Community Cupboard, 4275 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14622
To share a memory or send the family a condolence, please visit www.harrisfuneralhome.com
